BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hu Jintao met with visiting People First Party Chairman James Soong from Taiwan Thursday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the historical handshake and meeting with James CY Soong will be always remembered.
The visit by Soong and PFP delegation to the mainland and the dialogue between the CPC and the PFP show the willingness of the two parties for pushing forward peace across the Taiwan Straits and working for the benefits of the people across the Straits, Hu said.
Hu said he hoped the PFP delegation's mainland tour could build "a bridge of mutual trust between the two parties" and "a bridge of communications among the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits".
Beijing open to talks on one-China principle
The mainland is ready to talk with anyone and any political party in Taiwan who accepts the one-China principle and the "1992 consensus."
"No matter what he has said or done in the past, we are ready to talk with them on development cross-Straits relations and promotion of national reunification," Hu said.
Common aspiration
Hu said the Chinese nation is now facing a rare historic opportunity to develop itself and called for both parties to follow the historic trend and strive to promote development and prosperity on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
"The times and Chinese people require our political party leaders across the Taiwan Straits to work hard in these regards," said Hu, emphasizing the people on both sides of the Straits are closely tied by 5,000 years of historical and cultural traditions.
"All the Chinese people should take the rejuvenation of the nation as their own task," said Hu.
Hu and Soong will hold their first talks, which is widely regarded as a milestone in relations between the two parties and an impetus to development of relations across the Taiwan Straits.
Hu said he was confident his formal talks with Soong later would achieve "positive results".
PFP adheres to three-point basic stands: Soong
PFP Chairman James CY Soong said that "Taiwan independence" has never been an option for the PFP as it will only bring war and disasters.
He said this is also one of the three-point basic stands that the PFP has always adhered to. PFP's stands also include sticking to the "1992 Consensus" and the one-China principle as well as advocating peace, he said.
"As long as there is an environment of peace, I believe the Chinese people across the Straits will score more outstanding achievements," he said. Enditem