Chinese President Hu Jintao said in a New Year message on Monday
that the Chinese mainland will actively promote exchanges and
cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, safeguard peace and
stability, and push ahead with peaceful reunification.
He called on Chinese people around the world to join hands to
oppose "Taiwan independence" and work for the ultimate
reunification of the Chinese nation.
Hu made the speech at a New Year tea party held by the National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference, a top political advisory body composed of various
political parties and people from all walks of life.
The tea party was also attended by top leaders of Wu Bangguo,
Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, Luo Gan, and
presided over by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National
Committee.
President Hu said that the mainland's Taiwan policy of "peaceful
reunification" and "one country, two systems" will not change. In
reiterating his four guiding principles regarding cross-Strait
relations, Hu said the mainland will strictly adhere to the
one-China principle, continue efforts to seek peaceful
reunification, always place its hopes on the Taiwan people, and
never compromise in the struggle against "Taiwan independence".
On Hong Kong and Macao, Hu said the central government will
support the governments and chief executives of Hong Kong and Macao
to administer by law and expand the exchanges and cooperation
between the mainland and the two special administrative regions
(SARs) of China.
"We will adhere to the policies of one country, two systems, of
Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, and Macao people governing
Macao with a high degree of autonomy," Hu said, adding the
government will firmly safeguard the long-term prosperity and
stability of the two SARs.
BOTH OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AHEAD
With domestic and international situations undergoing profound
changes, China is faced with unprecedented opportunities and
challenges, said Hu in an optimistic tone at the party.
"Opportunities will in general exceed challenges."
He highlighted the key for the government this year as "timely
resolution of contradictions and problems in China's economic and
social development," speeding up the construction of a harmonious
society to provide an excellent environment and conditions for the
convention of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China in the later half of this year.
He said the government will exert more effort in addressing
social problems concerning people's life and pursue energy
efficiency and environmental protection in its "sound and fast"
economic development.
His other New Year resolutions include:
-- pushing forward the reform of the political system in an
active and steady manner to expand democracy, especially at local
levels;
-- strengthening social security networks, improving medicare
services and safety production mechanisms and maintaining public
order and social stability;
-- adhering to the absolute leadership of the Party over the
People's Liberation Army, promoting military innovation for better
national defence;
-- stepping up the fight against corruption and striving to
build a clean government, enhancing inner-Party democracy to
achieve harmony inside the Party, and constantly improving the
Party's administration.
Hu also call on various Parties of the CPPCC to promote unity of
different political forces, religions, ethnic groups, social strata
and Chinese people at home and abroad, so as to achieve social
harmony.
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2007)