Cross-Straits cooperation in several industries has reached new heights

President Hu Jintao called for further cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang to boost cross-Straits ties as he met with KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan on Tuesday.

Cross-Straits ties have made great progress in recent years, which is in the interests of the Chinese nation and in line with the wishes of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, he said.

"The CPC and the KMT should step up their cooperation to further carry out the 'common aspiration and prospects,'" he said.

The report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC reflects the consistency of the mainland's policy toward Taiwan, and effective measures toward Taiwan will continue to be implemented, he said.

Hu also called on compatriots on the mainland and Taiwan to have faith in the adherence to the path of peaceful development and a bright future for cross-Straits relations.

Lien arrived in Beijing on Sunday, and met with Party chief Xi Jinping on Monday morning. The 30-strong delegation led by Lien is scheduled to leave for Taiwan on Wednesday.

Hu said that he had met with Lien 12 times in the past eight years. Calling Lien an old friend and good friend, Hu spoke highly of Lien's contributions to the compatriots on both sides of the Straits.

Lien led a delegation to the mainland in April 2005 at the invitation of the CPC Central Committee when he was KMT chairman. It was the first time in 60 years that leaders of the CPC and KMT had met and shaken hands.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, said that the development of cross-Straits relations has gained momentum in recent years.

Jia made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon when meeting with Lien at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. He said that Lien's visit will boost cross-Straits ties.

Lien said that business exchanges have developed rapidly, with lots of economic and trade forums jointly held by both parties.

The mainland and Taiwan have signed 18 agreements in the past eight years, and cooperation in trade, culture, education and tourism has reached an unprecedented level, Lien said.

People on the mainland and in Taiwan have benefited from the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Lien said.

Lien recommended that the cross-Straits political dialogue could be carried out by NGOs as the first step.

Chen Xiancai, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, said that Lien remains the best channel for communications between the mainland and Taiwan authorities.

Wang Hailiang, a researcher with the Taiwan Studies Center at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that Lien's trip this time was productive because Lien met with both Xi and Hu.

"The meetings have sent a signal to the Taiwan people as well as the international community that the mainland authorities will carry on with its peaceful development policies toward Taiwan," he said.

Xinhua News Agency contributed to this story.

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