The biggest obstacle to developing relations across the Taiwan Strait is "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and their activities, General Secretary Hu Jintao of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said Thursday.

"The obstacle must be removed first for the sake of promoting common development and prosperity across the strait as it hinders cross-strait relations and endangers peace and stability in the region," he said during talks with visiting People First Party ( PFP) Chairman James CY Soong in the Great Hall of the People.

"Checking 'Taiwan independence' forces and their activities is vital to the fundamental interests of the compatriots and to the future across the strait," he said.

Recently there have emerged some new positive factors that contribute to checking "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities, and there have been some signs of easing tensions across the strait, Hu said.

However, Hu emphasized it is still an arduous and complicated task to combat "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and their activities.

"It remains the common task of compatriots across the strait to resolutely check 'Taiwan independence' and safeguard cross-strait peace," Hu said.

Soong said that the PFP has never wavered in adhering to the " 1992 consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence" for the promotion of cross-strait peace and stability.

He praised the CPC for inviting two political parties from Taiwan to visit the mainland in the past month for exchanges and dialogue, noting the two visits have had tremendous impact on the development of cross-Strait ties.

"People across the world have felt the desire and aspiration of the people on both sides of the strait for peace and prosperity of the Chinese nation," Soong said.

Taiwan compatriots expect us to convey their hopes for the promotion of cross-strait economic exchanges and trade which will lead to concrete benefits for people in both Taiwan and the mainland, Soong said. (More)

Hu said that given the current scale of economic integration across the Strait, we are faced with a historic opportunity for common development and prosperity. Hu Jintao set forth four viewpoints on improving and developing cross-Strait relations under the current circumstances.

-- Both sides of the Taiwan Strait should adhere to the "1992 Consensus" that embodies the one-China principle and establish a political basis for peaceful and stable growth of cross-Strait relations.

In order to bring about peace and stability in cross-Strait relations, it is a must to build the basic political mutual-trust to serve as the common political basis for both sides of the Strait.

To be specific, the political basis refers to adhering to the one-China principle and insisting that China and the Chinese nation should never split. Once the basis is constructed, any issue concerning the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait can be discussed and there should be no problem that cannot be solved. However, consultation will be out of the question should anyone attempts to go in for "Taiwan independence." It is because the Taiwan authorities refuse the one-China principle and deny the "1992 Consensus" that cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations have till this date not been resumed.

Cross-Strait dialogue and talks can be reopened immediately and any issue can be discussed if the Taiwan authorities accept the one-China principle and acknowledge the "1992 Consensus".

-- Promote the realization of "three direct links" (direct trade, mail, and transport services) across the Strait to open a new chapter in cross-Strait economic exchange and cooperation.

As the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and the Strait Exchange Foundation(SEF) are unable to resume talks at present, we should encourage professional associations on both sides to discuss "three direct links" issues." Discussion of issues on the opening of chartered passenger flights on major festivals and other occasions and the opening of chartered cargo flights could all follow this pattern.

The "three direct links" serve the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Promoting the opening of direct, two-way and comprehensive trade, mail and transport links is necessary to boost cross-Strait personnel and economic exchanges and realize common economic development and prosperity of both sides.

In advancing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, education, science and technology, health, culture, sports and tourism, the mainland side is ready to provide more conveniences.

"We hope the Taiwan authorities will remove various discriminatory restrictions on the mainland as early as possible and sincerely adopt practical measures to facilitate the early realization of direct, two-way and comprehensive trade, mail and transport links across the Taiwan Strait.

-- Dialogue and negotiations across the Taiwan Strait on an equal footing should be reopened as soon as possible, so as to expand consensus by seeking common ground while shelving differences. Both sides should demonstrate their sincerity and honor their words with actions.

Firstly, both sides should adhere to the one-China principle and recognize the "1992 Consensus", which is the precondition of any talks aimed to achieve substantial results.

Secondly, both sides should follow the will of the people across the Strait, put their fundamental interests first and take concrete actions to meet their immediate needs.

Thirdly, both sides should bravely abandon outdated mentality and selfish motives that go against the fundamental interests of the Chinese on both sides of the Strait and handle problems from a perspective that does good to the reality and future of the Chinese nation.

The CPC will continue to recognize the "1992 Consensus", oppose "Taiwan independence" and is ready to conduct dialogue with all parties, groups and influential individuals aiming to boost the cross-Strait relations on the basis of the "1992 Consensus."

The mainland will exchange views with them on all relevant issues to enhance mutual understanding and trust so as to expand consensus and have problems solved.

--People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should strengthen mutual trust and forge closer ties, since "the compatriots on both sides of the Strait are all Chinese" and the 23-million Taiwan compatriots are "our flesh-blood brothers", who serve as a major force in developing the cross-Strait relations and checking the pro-independence separatist activities in Taiwan.

"Under all circumstances, we must respect, trust and rely upon them, have their interests at heart by putting ourselves in their shoes and try our utmost to consider and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests."

It is understandable that Taiwan compatriots love Taiwan, just as the mainlanders love their own hometown and earth.

"We are sympathetic with the miseries Taiwan compatriots had suffered in the past, and understand their mentality that has taken shape under specific historical circumstances." And "we will carefully figure out and take into account the wishes of Taiwan compatriots, and better understand about their demands."

"We oppose any words and deeds that wantonly bespatter the people on the mainland and provoke and aggravate confrontation between the two sides of the Strait.

"We'll take practical measures to promote exchanges and cooperation between the people on both sides of the Strait, remove misunderstanding, develop mutual trust, love and support each other and accumulate consensus so as to work together with one heart for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Source: Xinhua