In contrast to previous strongly worded statements, CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin only briefly touched on Taiwan in his annual report to the advisory body yesterday.
'[We] will join hands with Taiwan people in opposing and containing separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence,' Mr Jia said.
Taiwan declined to say if it regarded the CPPCC chief's comments as relatively mild.
Jonathan Liu The-hsun, a vice-chairman of the island's Mainland Affairs Council, said it was still too early to 'jump to any conclusion based on remarks made by a single individual'.
'We are closely watching further developments there,' he said.
Wang Kung-yi, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies in Taipei, said the mainland needed to change its mindset if it really wanted to woo Taiwanese.
