国内英语新闻：Hu Jintao calls for mutual trust, consensus with Taiwan

BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday urged Taiwan to work together with the mainland based on four principles: "Building mutual trust, laying aside disputes, seeking consensus and shelving differences, and creating a win-win situation."

    He called for substantial efforts for the welfare of Chinese compatriots on both sides, to seek peace across the Taiwan Strait and create a new situation for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

    Hu made these remarks in a meeting with Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), his wife and his delegation, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in central Beijing.

Hu Jintao (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), in Beijing, April 29, 2008.

    Positive changes have taken place in Taiwan and the cross-strait relationship has witnessed sound development, said Hu. He thanked Lien for bringing to the mainland the works of a well-known Taiwan sculptor as a gift to the Beijing Olympics.

    Hu recalled his first meeting with Lien three years ago, which was the first official summit between the CPC and the KMT in the past 6 decades.

    At that first summit, the two parties publicized common aspirations for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, which laid the political foundation for cooperation, he noted.

    He called for resuming cross-strait talks on the basis of the "1992 Consensus" as early as possible, to resolve problems in a practical manner, make substantial efforts for the welfare of Chinese compatriots on both sides and seek peace across the strait.

    "The Chinese nationality will realize a bright future in its great rejuvenation, a common glory for the compatriots of the two banks," He said. The compatriots share the same fate and belong to the same big family of the Chinese nationality, Hu said.

    He expressed the hope that compatriots on both banks will further join hands to create a new environment for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nationality, and promote the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind.

    In his remarks, Lien agreed with Hu. He said the principles adopted at the KMT-CPC summit in 2005 were "of epoch-making importance" and have since been the guidelines for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

    The welfare of the compatriots on both banks must be built upon the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, Lien said. He called for joint efforts to increase exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economics, culture, education and social security.

    Also present were senior mainland officials including Wang Qishan, Ling Jihua, Chen Yunlin and Chen Shiju.