Strengthening exchanges is crucial to promoting peaceful development across the Taiwan Straits, a former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party said on Monday in Chongqing.

Ma Ying-jeou made the remarks during a meeting with the Party chief of Chongqing Yuan Jiajun.

"We will actively promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in economy, trade, culture and social fields, promote exchanges between young people on both sides, and work together to improve the well-being of both sides and create a better future," he said.

Ma said he was impressed by Chongqing's development, investment environment and advanced city planning.

He noted that Taiwan and Chongqing not only have deep historical ties, but also have always had close contacts with each other. He also said Chongqing is an important destination for Taiwan business people to invest in the mainland.

Yuan welcomed the delegation. He spoke highly of Ma's efforts to promote peaceful development of the both sides across the Straits for years.

He also said that Chongqing will improve policies and enhance service to promote communication between Chongqing and Taiwan, contributing to peaceful development on both sides across the Straits.

Ma is leading a delegation from Taiwan for communication and exchange activities on a 12-day visit to the Chinese mainland, which started on March 27. The delegation visited multiple cities including Wuhan, Hubei province, Changsha, Hunan province and Nanjing of Jiangsu province.