A Chinese mainland spokesperson Monday expressed condolences over the passing of Hau Pei-tsun and Wang Wen-hsieh and sympathy to their families.
"Hau and Wang both firmly opposed 'Taiwan independence' and strived for national reunification," said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
They made great contributions to promoting the development of cross-Strait relations, winning praise and respect from people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said Zhu.
Hau, former head of Taiwan's executive authority and former vice chairperson of the Kuomintang, died of multiple organ failure Monday in Taipei at the age of 101.
Wang, a former senior military officer on the island, died in a single-car accident Sunday.
Zhu expressed the hope that compatriots on both sides can join hands to maintain peace and stability across the Strait and contribute to national reunification.
