BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhuanet) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Hu Jintao shook hands with visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan in Beijing Friday afternoon in the first meeting between top leaders of the two parties in 60 years.

Hu Jintao said he is very glad to have a "historic meeting" with Lien Chan, adding the meeting indicated that exchanges between the two parties have entered "a new development stage" and reflected their common determination and sincerity to boost cross-Straits relations.

This common step taken by the two parties will "go down in the history of the development of cross-Straits relations," said Hu.

He said both CPC and KMT need to carefully study real thinking of the people across the Straits and follow the prevailing trend of public opinions.

"Both of us should jointly strive for peace and stability in order to create the great revitalization of the Chinese nation," said Hu.

Lien Chan, meanwhile, offered reconciliation, saying "We cannot change the past, but we can grasp the opportunities of the future."