WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed appreciation to the U.S. commitment to one-China policy while delivering his speech at the welcoming ceremony on the White House South Lawn Thursday morning.

Hu said U.S. President George W. Bush and the U.S. government have stated on various occasions that they are committed to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and oppose Taiwan independence.

"We appreciate your commitments," he said.

President Hu noted Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and China will continue to make every effort and endeavor with sincerity to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification of the two sides across the Taiwan Straits.

"We will work with our Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations," Hu Jintao said, "however, we will never allow anyone to make Taiwan secede from China by any means."