BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland will continue to improve the business environment for Taiwanese-invested enterprises to support their development on the mainland, a mainland official said Wednesday.

The mainland has always attached great importance to the sustained development of Taiwanese businesses on the mainland, and has actively supported them, said Zhang Zhijun, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

In 2017, the mainland will continue to work to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all Taiwanese compatriots, and introduce policies and measures to facilitate their study, work, life and pursuit of entrepreneurship on the mainland, Zhang said while addressing a gathering of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland.

Zhang thanked the association for contributing over the last year to the mainland's development, offering internships, jobs and entrepreneurship for Taiwanese youth on the mainland, promoting cross-Strait economic and social integration, and safeguarding the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Stressing that the cross-Strait relations and situation face greater complexity and grimness in 2017, Zhang said the Chinese mainland will unswervingly adhere to political foundation of the 1992 Consensus, resolutely oppose and contain "Taiwan independence," as well as protect and promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.