"With the utmost sincerity, we will do everything possible to bring about the peaceful reunification of the motherland," according to the government work report made available to press prior to Wen's address to the national legislature's annual session.

The Chinese mainland will adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and, during this current stage, to the eight-point proposal for developing relations across the Taiwan Straits and promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland, the report notes.

"We will vigorously expand visits of individuals across the Straits and economic and cultural exchanges and energetically promote establishment of the 'three direct links' between the two sides."

The Chinese mainland will protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots on the mainland in accordance with the law and continue to pursue the resumption of dialogue and negotiations between the two sides on the basis of the one-China principle, it says.

The report reiterates the "unshakable goal" to maintain the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao and the "full support" to the chief executives and governments of the two regions.

The Chinese mainland will act in strict accordance with the basic laws of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, the report says.

"We will unite as broadly as possible people from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macao and effectively implement the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong and the mainland and Macao."

(China Daily March 5, 2004)