BEIJING - It would be futile to use "human rights" as an excuse to undermine the peaceful development of relations between the mainland and Taiwan, a mainland spokesman said Wednesday.

Yang Yi, spokesman for the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a question about a recent proposal by some members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan's main opposition party, that highlighted human rights issues in advancing cross-Straits ties.

The DPP should understand that its "Taiwan independence" stance will do no good for cross-Straits peace and stability, nor will it improve cross-Straits relations, Yang said.

It will also hinder the future development of Taiwan as well as the DPP's own progress, Yang said.

"We hope the DPP will realize the trend of the times, change its pro-independence stance and stop the attempts to undermine cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, in order to do their due share in promoting the welfare of the people on the two sides," the spokesman said.

Opposition to the "Taiwan independence" stance is the bottom line in developing cross-Straits relations, and the mainland may communicate with the DPP if the party abandons its "Taiwan independence" stance, Yang said.