Members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and celebrities in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have all applauded President Hu Jintao's important speech on relations across the Taiwan Straits on Friday.  

Hu set forth a four-point guideline on the relations across the Taiwan Straits while joining in a joint panel discussion of CPPCC members representing the Taiwan region Friday afternoon.

Most CPPCC members said Hu's speech has fully demonstrated the Chinese people's heart-felt desire for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, their utmost sincerity to realize peaceful reunification of the motherland and their firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

People on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are blood relation, said Li Ganliu, vice chairman of the 10th Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of Chinese Kuomintang. "As long as the Taiwan authorities recognize the '1992 Consensus,' we'll have a basis for cross-Straits dialogue, negotiation, exchanges and communication."

Wu Guozhen, vice chairman of the Seventh Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, said he was most impressed with President Hu's solemn commitment to the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots.

"The speech fully demonstrates the care and love for the Taiwan compatriots from the Chinese mainland's side," he said, adding that he hoped the Taiwan authorities will make active responses and make the right choice in cross-Straits relations.

The four-point guideline on cross-Straits relations set forth by President Hu demonstrates the utmost goodwill and sincerity, said Cheng Zhengtong, vice director of Fujian Provincial Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League. "I hope the Taiwan compatriots will catch the spirit of the speech."

Shi Sihao, counselor of All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said the guideline is "a kind gesture" to Taiwan and urges the Taiwan authorities to take the opportunity to "make the right choice" and "improve cross-Straits relations."

Hu's speech also received a warm welcome from people in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

"The president has made it clear that the fate of Taiwan Island is not just in the hands of its present residents," said Cheang Kok Keong, a Macao resident representing a non-governmental organization that works to promote peaceful reunification.

Hu said in his speech that China is the home to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots, and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots.

"Hu's speech contains some fresh suggestions and proposals that are both realistic and practical," said He Liangliang, a commentator on current affairs with Phoenix TV in Hong Kong.

Hu made the speech very sincerely at the right time, said Chen Qinming, president of the China Reunification Alliance of Taiwan.

Wang Wulang, director of the Organizing Department of Taiwan's Labor Rights Association, noted Hu's speech conforms to reality and shows the determination of the motherland on reunification.

"Only through peaceful reunification and joint efforts can the two sides of the Taiwan Straits develop on a basis of mutual benefits. This is in line with the interests of the Taiwan people," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2005)