Hu calls for further mainland-Taiwan cooperation

Also in Boao, President Hu Jintao has met with Vincent Siew, Chairman of Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation.

Hu Jintao (R), general secretary of the Communist Party  of China Central Committee, shakes hands with Vincent Siew,  chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market  Foundation, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province,  April 12, 2008. [Xinhua]

During the meeting, Hu Jintao said cross-strait economic exchanges are now facing historic opportunities. Both sides should push forward communications and cooperation. They should especially promote cross-strait weekend chartered flights and visits by mainland tourists to Taiwan.

President Hu said both sides should pay close attention to the wellbeing of residents in Taiwan，and safeguard their interests. Hu Jintao also extended his welcome to the Taiwan delegation for attending the Boao Forum.

Vincent Siew said he has come to the Boao Forum every year since 2003. He said the mainland and Taiwan are closely connected economically, and trade cooperation has been playing a positive role in stabilizing cross-strait relations. He hopes the two sides can shelve their differences and usher in a new era of mutual trust, benefit, understanding, and assistance.

Hu Jintao said economic cooperation is the most vigorous factor in cross-strait relations. He said over the last 8 years, there have been a lot of turns and twists in cross-strait relations, and economic cooperation has sometimes been affected. This is something neither side wants to see.

Hu Jintao said under fierce competition, both sides should seize opportunities, face up to challenges, and strengthen cooperation to create a win-win situation. Hu Jintao stressed that peaceful development is the common desire and in the common interest of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. He said people on the mainland and people in Taiwan all belong to one and the same family, and they should join hands to open a new chapter of peaceful development across the Straits.

After the meeting, Hu Jintao asked Vincent Siew to convey his greetings to Ma Ying-Jeou and other Kuomingtang leaders.