Taiwan media said Saturday that the landmark handshake between Hu Jintao and Lien Chan, top leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party, has provided a favorable chance for sound development of relations across the Taiwan Straits as well as for maintaining cross-Straits peace and stability.

The five-point consensus reached by the two parties has evoked wide response from the Taiwan public, according to reports reaching.

Central Daily News said in its editorial titled "Advancing to Win-Win by Adhering to Peace" that the five-point consensus reached at the Hu-Lien meeting has covered all the cross-Straits related issues. It is obvious that both sides are aimed at peaceful development of cross-Straits relations based on the "1992 Consensus" and hope to promote cooperation and exchanges through consultation.

The editorial added that according to the above principle, the dream of the 23 million Taiwan people will come true, including the end of cross-Straits hostility, the establishment of a mechanism of military mutual trust and a peace accord between both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Meanwhile, both sides of the Straits can start all-round economic cooperation, which may be a stimulus to an economic slowdown of Taiwan. Measures can be taken to  promote "direct exchanges of mail service, trade, air and shipping services across the Taiwan Straits," increase and guarantee investment and trade across the Straits, enhance cooperation in agriculture and fishery sectors, and solve the problem of selling Taiwan agricultural products to the mainland.

The editorial said the "government" of the Democratic Progressive Party must be reminded that peace and development are not only in the interests of people on both sides of Taiwan Straits but also represent the global trend. To guarantee the fundamental interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits through necessary dialogue and communication is a proper measure for a responsible party.

In an editorial titled "Strategic Choice Under New Situation of Cross-Straits Relations," China Times said the hope for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations expressed by the two top party leaders implied that cross-Straits relations tend to develop in a peaceful tone.

The editorial said Lien Chan publicly expressed his position of adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence", which provided another choice to the Taiwan authorities in dilemma.

The Mun Sang Poh editorial titled "Journey of Peace and Healthy Communication," said Lien's position against "Taiwan independence" reflected the aspiration of most Taiwan people. It said the meeting of Hu Jintao and Lien Chan has "epoch-making significance" because it creates a healthy atmosphere for the development of cross-Straits relations and lays a foundation for cross-Straits communications.

The editorial said Lien and his team have successfully accomplished their "journey of peace".

The Commercial Times said in its editorial that since the Hu-Lien summit has reached five-point consensus, whether cross-Straits relations will go on a sound track will be decided by the reaction of the ruling party.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2005)