BEIJING- A representative of the Chinese mainland on Tuesday expressed appreciation to comments by Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je on cross-Strait ties.

The mayor's latest remarks are expected to promote exchanges between Taipei and the mainland, said Fan Liqing, spokeswoman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

She also revealed that the mainland city of Shanghai is planning a forum between the two cities.

Ko said in an interview with Xinhua on Monday that he himself is willing to assume new role in the development of cross-Strait relations.

When commenting about the "1992 Consensus," Ko said "one China" is not a problem and that agreements already signed between the mainland and Taiwan, as well as the exchange history between both sides, should be respected.

People on both sides should look to a common, better future, the two sides should, based on the existing political foundation, uphold the principle of knowing each other, understanding each other, respecting each other and cooperating with each other and adhere to the spirit of "both sides belong to one family", Ko said.

The "1992 consensus" was an agreement reached in 1992 with a core of acknowledgment that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China.