国内英语新闻：Taiwan newspaper says Hu's cross-Straits proposals positive

TAIPEI, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Daily News, one of the biggest newspapers in Taiwan, said in an editorial on Friday that the six proposals put forward by Hu Jintao on the cross-Straits relationship are "positive" and "explicit".

    The editorial said that people in Taiwan mostly hold positive opinions about the six proposals, made by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Hu Jintao on New Year's Eve, and see goodwill and understanding in them.

    It noted that in Hu's address, he shows understanding that "Taiwan consciousness" does not equal to "Taiwan independence consciousness". In addition, Hu also said the mainland is willing to discuss with Taiwan "proper and reasonable arrangements" for Taiwan's participation in activities of international organizations as long as such activity does not create a scenario of "two Chinas" or "one China and one Taiwan."

Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the announcement of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, held in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 31, 2008. The Chinese mainland commemorated the 30th anniversary of the announcement of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan here Wednesday with a ceremony.

    Hu made the six proposals on promoting the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship in his speech to commemorate the30th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan."

    He called for increased communication and exchange in all areas and said the mainland would actively respond to any constructive proposals that would boost the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship.

    Hu said the two sides could step up contacts and exchanges on military issues "at an appropriate time" and discuss establishing a mechanism to boost mutual trust on military security.