A symposium on prospects for mainland-Taiwan relations and peaceful development across the Taiwan Straits ends in Hangzhou on Thursday.

Experts conducted wide-ranging, deep discussions on significant issues and reached many agreements, said Sun Yafu, vice director of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

Sun said the symposium would promote understanding on cross-Straits relations among experts from both sides and have a crucial effect on the peaceful development of relations.

Sun said that in general, people all held high expectations for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and people from both sides should strengthen their communication and cooperation.

The symposium was hosted by the Cross-Straits Relations Research Center (CSRRC).

The CSRRC, established in September 2000, groups retired policy makers and experts on politics, economics, legal and military affairs, history, foreign relations and world strategy.

The two-day symposium attracted 171 people, including 96 from Taiwan.

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2008)