File photo of Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office [Photo: china.com.cn]

The Chinese mainland has warned that cross-Straits relations will face a serious setback if the 1992 Consensus is not the political foundation of mainland's relationship with Taiwan.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to questions whether a new hotline between mainland and Taiwan chiefs of cross-Straits affairs, will be suspended after the island's leadership election of Jan. 16.

The spokesman says if the two sides maintain this political foundation, progress is safe.

"The development of cross-Straits relations over the past 20-plus years has fully proved that the relationship promises a bright future when the two sides persist in the common political basis of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing 'Taiwan independence'. Otherwise, the "boat" of the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations would meet with rough seas and tempestuous waves, even to the extent of total capsizing. Everybody is very clear about this."

The hotline, which was launched on Dec. 30, aims to facilitate communication on important and urgent cross-Straits problems, allowing the chief officials to speak directly.

He also notices that the two sides have not spoken on the hotline lately.

He adds that whether the two sides will continue their talks on the commodity trade agreement depends on future communication and cross-Straits ties.

At the same time, the spokesman also denies that the Chinese mainland has set a cap on the number of tourists who can visit Taiwan.