BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin Thursday called for joint efforts to push forward the development of relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when he met with a Taiwan delegation led by Yao Eng-chi.

The world economy was gradually breaking away from the serious negative impact of the global financial crisis, and economic cooperation across the Taiwan Strait was embarking on a new stage, he said.

"We should seize the opportunity to enhance economic and financial exchanges, and negotiate and sign the cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) based on mutual benefit," he said.

Yao, whose delegation consists of former Taiwan local legislators, said the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan hoped for peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, and cooperation across the Strait needed to win more understanding and support from the public in the island.