President Hu offers six proposals for peaceful development of cross-Strait relationship

Photo taken on Dec. 31, 2008 shows a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the announcement of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan held in Beijing, capital of China. The Chinese mainland commemorated the 30th anniversary of the announcement of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan here Wednesday with a ceremony attended by three top leaders including President Hu Jintao. (Xinhua Photo)

China's President Hu Jintao delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the announcement of "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, December 31, 2008. (REUTERS/Jason Lee)

China's President Hu Jintao delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the announcement of "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, December 31, 2008. (REUTERS/Jason Lee)

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao offered six proposals to promote the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relationship in a speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" here on Wednesday.

Hu said the mainland is willing to discuss with Taiwan proper and reasonable arrangement for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, as long as this does not create a scenario of "two Chinas" or "China and Taiwan."

Although the two sides of the Strait have been split since 1949 by a civil war, the political confrontation between them did not change the fact that they belonged to one China, he said.

"Under a common understanding of 'one China', anything can be talked about between the two sides," he said. "Anything that is conducive to peaceful development across the Strait, we will greatly promote. Anything that harms it, we will firmly oppose."

Hu also proposed that the two sides can talk about a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement and education and cultural exchange pact.

Hu said he hoped that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party could clearly understand the situation and stop secessionist activities. "If the party could abandon its 'Taiwan independence' stance, we would make a positive response to them," he said.

He said that all those who have advocated and been involved in secessionist activities were welcome to return to the right direction of peaceful reunification.

"We continue to welcome and support Taiwan companies' business in the mainland and encourage mainland enterprises to invest in Taiwan," he said. "We expect to normalize economic relations across the Strait and establish an economic cooperation mechanism."

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, issued the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" on Jan. 1, 1979.

In this statement, the mainland first proposed to end the military confrontation across the Taiwan Strait through dialog and welcomed exchanges between the two sides.