Hu put forth a four-point guideline on the development of cross-Straits relations "under the new circumstances".

    "First, never sway in adhering to the one-China principle," he said. "Adherence to the one-China principle serves as the cornerstone for developing cross-Straits relations and realizing peaceful reunification of the motherland."

    Although the mainland and Taiwan are not yet reunified, the fact that the two sides belong to one and the same China has remained unchanged since 1949. "This is the status quo of cross-Straits relations," said Hu.

    "The sticking point in the current development of cross-Straitsrelations lies in the fact that the Taiwan authorities have refused to recognize the one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus' which embodies this principle," said the president.

    Dialogues and talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Straitscan be resumed immediately, and can be carried out on whatever topics and issues, as long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the "1992 Consensus", said Hu.

    "We can talk about the official conclusion of the state of hostility between the two sides, the establishment of military mutual trust, the Taiwan region's room of international operation compatible with its status, the political status of the Taiwan authorities and the framework for peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations, which we have proposed," Hu said.

    "We can also talk about all the issues that need to be resolvedin the process of realizing peaceful reunification," he added.

    "We welcome the efforts made by any individuals or any political parties in Taiwan toward the direction of recognizing the one-China principle," said Hu.

    "No matter who he is and which political party it is, and no matter what they said and did in the past, we're willing to talk with them on issues of developing cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful reunification as long as they recognize the one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus'," he added.

    Hu urged the Taiwan authorities to stop all activities for "Taiwan independence" and return to the path of recognizing the "1992 Consensus" at an early date.

    "Secondly, never give up efforts to seek peaceful reunification," Hu told the CPPCC members. "A peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and peaceful reunification of the motherland conforms to thefundamental interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Straits andthe Chinese nation, as well as the currents of peace and development in the world today."

    Peaceful reunification does not mean that one side "swallows" the other, but that the two sides confer on reunification through consultation on an equal footing, he stressed.

    "As long as there is still a ray of hope for peaceful reunification, we'll do our utmost to achieve it," said Hu.

    "We hope at the bottom of our hearts that relevant personages and political parties in Taiwan would seriously consider this important issue and ... make the correct historic choice to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits, promote cross-Straits relations and realize peaceful reunification," he urged.

    The third point the president underscored was "never to change the principle of placing hope on the Taiwan people".

    "The more the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces want toisolate the Taiwan compatriots from us, the more closely we have to unite with them," said Hu, calling the Taiwan people "our flesh-and-blood brothers".

    "Under whatever circumstances, we shall always respect, trust and rely on the Taiwan compatriots, land ourselves in their position to think of their difficulties, and do everything we can to look after and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests," he added.

    When talking about the marketing of Taiwan's farm produce in the mainland, Hu said the issue "involves the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the Taiwan farmers", and therefore must be addressed "in a down-to-earth manner".

    Direct cross-Straits charter flights, which are now conducted on festivals and holidays, could gradually develop into a regular practice, while non-governmental civil aviation organizations of both sides could also exchange views on the issue of cross-Straitscargo charter flights, suggested Hu.

    "Anything beneficial to the Taiwan compatriots and conducive tothe promotion of cross-Straits exchanges..., we will do it with our utmost efforts and will do it well," pledged Hu. "This is our solemn commitment to the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots."

No compromise over national sovereignty