Hu Jintao pledges to further boost cross-strait relations

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said Sunday the mainland would take substantial steps to expand economic and trade relations with Taiwan.

Commenting on a package of new policies announced Saturday to boost cross-strait economic and trade ties, Hu said the mainland will actively push forward cross-strait exchanges in the fields of agriculture and education and provide Taiwan people with more job opportunities in the mainland.

The CPC leader made the remark Sunday during a meeting with Taiwan delegates who attended the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Forum in Beijing.

Hu emphasized that a mutually complementary and beneficial relationship is the effective way for realizing peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.

Referring to the so-called "marginalization" of Taiwan, he urged some people in Taiwan not to "marginalize themselves."

He called for joint efforts by the two sides to promote cross-strait economic and trade relations.