Hu spoke at a panel discussion of the Taiwan delegation to the
ongoing first session of the
10th
National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature,
Tuesday afternoon.
"The solution to the Taiwan issue according to the basic principles
of "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems," is
favorable not only for the economic and social development in
Taiwan, but also for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,"
Hu said.
Hu
went on to express four points of opinion on the Taiwan-related
work "under the new situation", that is, to always adhere to the
"One China" principle, to spare no efforts to promote economic and
cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits, to further implement
the principle of "placing hopes on the Taiwan people", and to unite
compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to jointly push
forward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"China belongs to the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan
Straits and is their common home," he said. "We hope to settle
disputes through dialogue and negotiations, which can be resumed
when the Taiwan authorities definitely accept the one-China
principle. We are willing to exchange views with all political
parties and people from all walks of life in Taiwan."
Hu
called for greater efforts for the early realization of direct
links across the Straits in trade, air and shipping services and
mail services. He urged local governments to earnestly implement
the law on the protection of investment from Taiwan and provide
better services to Taiwan business people in their business
operations on the mainland.
The existing Taiwan-related regulations and policies should also be
further improved to effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and
interests of Taiwan compatriots, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2003)