Hu Jintao’s offer for cross-Straits ties

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao offered six proposals to promote peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship in a speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of China’s “Message to Compatriots in Taiwan” here on Wednesday. Mr. Hu said China was willing to discuss with Taiwan proper and reasonable arrangements for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations, as long as this does not create a scenario of “two Chinas” or “China and Taiwan”.

Though the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have been split since 1949 by a civil war, the political confrontation between them did not change the fact that they belonged to one China, he said.

“Under a common understanding of ‘one China’, anything can be talked about between the two sides,” he said. “Anything that is conducive to peaceful development across the Straits, we will greatly promote. Anything that harms it, we will firmly oppose.”

Mr. Hu also proposed that the two sides stop confrontations and reach peaceful agreements. He said the two sides should step up political talks and increase military contacts and exchanges to ease cross-Straits tension and reduce worries about military security.

He said both sides can talk about a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement to establish a collaboration mechanism with special cross-Straits characteristics, which would be complementary and mutually beneficial to both sides.

The Chinese leader said he hoped that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party could clearly understand the situation and stop secessionist activities. “If the party could abandon its ‘Taiwan independence’ stance, we would make a positive response to them,” he said. The President also stressed the common cultural heritage inherited by the people saying all Chinese should promote China’s traditional civilization with strengthened spiritual ties.

Mr. Hu, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was addressing a ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of China’s major policy change on Taiwan.