CPC, KMT work for formal end of cross-Straits hostility
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-04-29 18:10

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Kuomintang (KMT) party of China have agreed to make joint efforts to promote the formal end of the state of hostility across the Taiwan Straits, according to a press communique released after the meeting between CPC leader Hu Jintao and visiting KMT leader Lien Chan Friday afternoon.

HISTORIC HANDSHAKE: CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting KMT chairman Lien Chan in Beijing April 29, 2005. Lien is on an 8-day historic mainland visit. He has visited Nanjing and will continue his visit to Xi'an and Shanghai after Beijing. [Xinhua]

The two parties will also work together for reaching a peace accord and establish a framework for peaceful and steady development of cross-Straits relations, including a mechanism of military mutual trust, in order to avoid military conflicts between the two sides of the Straits.

The two parties have reached consensus of a wide range of issues regarding the promotion for the early resumption of cross-Straits dialogue, the signing of a peace accord and the building of a mechanism for military mutual trust, according to the press communique.

Taiwan's participation in international activities

KMT and CPC agreed to discuss the issue of Taiwan's participation in international activities after the resumption of dialogue across the Taiwan Straits.

"Priority will be given to the discussion about Taiwan's participation in activities of the World Health Organization", according to the press communique.

"The two sides will join hands to create conditions and find a way out step by step," according to the communique.

Adhere to 1992 Consensus, oppose to "Taiwan independence"

The two parties reached consensus to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and oppose to "Taiwan independence", according to the press communique.

It is the common stance of the CPC and the KMT to seek ways for the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, promote the cross-Straits relations, and safeguard the interests for people across the Taiwan Straits, the communique said.

Cross-Straits economic cooperation

The two parties agreed to carry out all-round economic cooperation, cement economic and trade relations and promote the "three direct links" across the Taiwan Straits.

The two parties also agreed to take steps to increase and guarantee investment and trade across the Straits and enhance cooperation in agriculture and fishery sectors to facilitate the sales of Taiwan farm produce to the mainland, according to the press communique.

They would also work to improve the order of cross-Straits exchanges and crack down on crime in order to establish a stable economic cooperation mechanism and promote the discussion for establishing a cross-Straits common market, to which priority will be given after consultation is resumed between the two sides of the Straits.

CPC, KMT to engage in regular exchanges

The two parties have agreed to maintain regular exchanges on the cross-Straits relations, according to the joint communique.

People from all walks of life will be invited to join in their discussions on issues concerning the interests of the people across the Taiwan Straits, says the landmark communique.

Both KMT and CPC hope the meeting will benefit the people across the Straits, open up a new chapter for the cross-Straits relations and lead to a bright future of the Chinese nationality, says the communique.

 Lien Chan urges authorities to support implementation of consensus

 Visiting Kuomintang (KMT) party Chairman Lien Chan Friday urged the Taiwan authorities to support the implementation of consensus reached in his meeting with the Communist Party of China leader Hu Jintao.
Speaking at a press conference held here after his meeting with Hu, Lien said the purpose of the KMT's mainland visit aimed to enhance the well-being of people. The KMT will promote the implementation of some of the contents, but some others need the push of executive power.
"The well-being of people goes first in our undertakings," said Lien. "If there's nothing wrong with that, I hope the authorities will not place obstacles."

CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting KMT chairman Lien Chan in Beijing April 29, 2005. [Reuters]

HISTORIC MOMENT: Hu, Lien meet in Beijing

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said in Beijing Friday that people from both sides across the Taiwan Straits should show the world capability and wisdom in addressing disputes and other problems.

Hu 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.

In his meeting with visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan, Hu said that 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,"Hu said.

Hu said the Chinese mainland has, for many times, extended welcome to delegations of political parties and groups in Taiwan to come for exchanges and dialogs for improvement and developmentof relations across the Taiwan Straits.

Hu said the "historic meeting" between him and Chairman Lien Chan marked 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. This is the first meeting between top leaders of the two parties in six decades. 

Lien offered reconciliation in his meeting with Hu, saying "we cannot change the past, but we can grasp the opportunities of the future."

"We proceed today to achieve happiness and benefits for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, with goodwill and on the basis of mutual trust," Lien said during a meeting with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.

This is the first meeting between top leaders of the two parties in 60 years.

He called for efforts to avoid confrontation and conflicts, and "seek reconciliation and dialog."

Lien spoke highly of Hu's four-point guideline on cross-Straits relations proposed in early March, saying it is a "call for peace" and is positive in guiding the development of cross-Straits ties.

The meeting, held in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing, is the first between top leaders of the two parties in 60 years.

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