The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao set forth four viewpoints on improving and developing cross-Straits relations under the current circumstances during talks with the visiting Chairman James CY Soong of the People First Party (PFP) from Taiwan on Thursday.
Mutual political trust across Straits
Hu urged both sides across the Taiwan Straits to stick to the "1992 Consensus" highlighting the one-China principle and establish a political basis for the peaceful and stable development of the cross-Straits ties.
In order to shape the peaceful and stable cross-Straits relations, it is a must to build the basic political mutual-trust to serve as the common political basis for both sides of the Straits, according to Hu.
To be specific, the political basis refers to adhering to the one-China principle and insisting that China and the Chinese nation should never be split. Once the basis is constructed, any issue concerning the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits can be discussed and there should be no problem that can not be solved, said Hu.
However, consultation will be beyond reach if any attempts at "Taiwan independence" were made. It is because the Taiwan authorities refuse to accept the one-China principle and accept the "1992 Consensus" that cross-Straits dialogue and negotiations have not been resumed to date.
The CPC leader also said the mainland side welcomes the Taiwan authorities to work toward accepting the one-China principle.
He pledged that cross-Straits dialogue and talks would be reopened immediately and any issue can be discussed if the Taiwan authorities accept the one-China principle and accept the "1992 Consensus".
Professional associations urged to advance "three direct links"
Hu said the professional associations could advance the opening of "three direct links", namely direct mail service, trade, air and shipping services, across the Taiwan Straits.
"As the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) are unable to resume talks at present, we should actively encourage professional associations on both sides to discuss "three direct links" issues," said Hu.
Hu said discussion of issues on the opening of chartered passenger flights on major festivals and other occasions and the opening of chartered cargo flights could all follow this pattern.
He said "three direct links" serve the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Promoting the opening of direct, two-way and comprehensive "three links" is necessary to boost cross-Strait personnel and economic exchanges and realize common economic development and prosperity of both sides.
Hu said in advancing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, education, science and technology, health, culture, sports and tourism, the mainland side is ready to provide more convenience.
"We hope Taiwan authorities will remove various discriminatory restrictions on the mainland as early as possible and sincerely adopt practical measures to facilitate the early realization of direct, two-way and comprehensive 'three links' across the Taiwan Straits," said Hu.
Dialogue leads to peaceful, stable cross-Straits relations
Hu expressed his hope for an earlier resumption of dialogue across the Taiwan Straits.
"The peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations requires both sides to conduct dialogue on an equal footing and to expand their consensus while putting differences aside," said Hu.
Hu stressed that both Taiwan and the mainland should demonstrate their sincerity and honor their words with actions.
Firstly, both sides should stick to the one-China principle and accept the "1992 Consensus", which is the precondition of any talks aimed to achieve substantial results, he said.
Secondly, both sides should follow the will of the people across the Straits, put their fundamental interests first and take concrete actions to meet their immediate needs.
Thirdly, both sides should bravely abandon outdated mentality and selfish motives against the interests of the Chinese and handle problems from a perspective that does good to the reality and future of the Chinese nation.
Hu said that CPC will continue to accept the "1992 Consensus", oppose "Taiwan independence" and is ready to conduct dialogue with all parties, groups and influential individuals aiming to boost the cross-Straits relations on the basis of the "1992 Consensus."
"We will exchange views with them on all relevant issues to enhance mutual understanding and trust so as to expand consensus and have problems solved," he said.
Mutual trust and closer cross-Straits ties
Hu called upon the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to strengthen mutual trust and forge closer ties.
Hu said that "the compatriots on both sides of the Straits are all Chinese" and the 23-million Taiwan compatriots are "our flesh-blood brothers", who serve as a major force in developing the cross-Straits relations and containing the pro-independence separatist activities in Taiwan, he noted.
"Under all circumstances, we must respect, trust and rely upon them, have their interests at heart by putting ourselves in their shoes and try our utmost to consider and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests."
Hu said it is understandable that Taiwan compatriots love Taiwan, just as the mainlanders love their own hometown and earth.
"We are sympathetic with the miseries Taiwan compatriots had suffered in the past, and understand their mentality that has taken shape under specific historical circumstances," Hu said, adding that "we will carefully figure out and take into account the wishes of Taiwan compatriots, and better understand about their demands."
Hu said, "We oppose any words and deeds that wantonly bespatter the people on the mainland and provoke and aggravate confrontation between the two sides of the Straits.
"We'll take practical measures to promote exchanges and cooperation between the people on both sides of the Straits, remove misunderstanding, develop mutual trust, love and support each other and accumulate consensus so as to work together with one heart for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2005)
