Lien: Strong Chinese nation no longer reachless dream

A modernized, prosperous, strong and well-being Chinese nation is no longer a reachless dream, visiting KMT Chairman Lien Chan said Friday in a speech in the Peking University.

Lien said that Taiwan is embarking on its second economic wonder and the mainland is facing an opportunity that occurs only once in 1,000 years.

The KMT leader continued that the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang both aimed for a prosperous and strong China.

The Taiwan independence timetable should never be allowed to destroy the basis for the people¡¯s well-being, Lien pointed out, adding that 66 per cent of the people in Taiwan were in favor of harmonious talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits according to a survey released last Sunday.

Parties pledge to work for Straits peace

A top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) yesterday pledged to work together with Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) to promote cross-Straits peace and stability.

Jia Qinglin, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the overture while meeting KMT Chairman Lien Chan in the Great Hall of the People.

KMT chairman leader Lien Chan (L) and Jia Qingling, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, toast each other at a banquet hosted by Jia in Beijing April 28, 2005.

Lien and his 60-member delegation arrived in Beijing yesterday morning on the second leg of their eight-day four-city trip which began in Nanjing on Tuesday.

He is the first KMT chairman to visit the mainland since 1949.

Jia told the delegation that top leaders from the two parties will hold historic meetings in a bid to pursue cross-Straits peace and strengthen bilateral exchanges and co-operation.

The re-opening of CPC-KMT dialogue after 60 years is of both historic and current significance, said Jia, also chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

The CPC leader added the two parties share common responsibility for improving cross-Straits relations to benefit the welfare of people on both sides.

Moving out of shadows

"What we expect is not only to open a new chapter in cross-Straits relations and ties between our two parties through more exchanges, communication and mutual understanding," said Jia. "We also hope cross-Straits ties can move out of the shadows towards a peaceful future."

He vowed to join efforts with all Taiwanese parties, organizations and representatives who oppose "Taiwan independence" to strive for a peaceful, stable, co-operative future across the Straits.

To sincerely promote and safeguard the interests of people across the Straits is the right choice and will finally win the endorsement and support of all, Jia stressed.

During the meeting, Lien said his visit represented the strong aspirations among the Taiwanese people for better relations between Taiwan and the mainland.

"We have heard the voice of the people and it is also our unshirkable historic responsibility," the KMT leader said.

Earlier, he told a welcoming ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport that people on both sides of the Straits want to have a peaceful, win-win future through reconciliation and dialogue.

"That's an unstoppable trend...and we should seize the opportunity to shape our future," Lien said.

He expressed his appreciation of the fast development and great changes which have taken place on the mainland over the past two decades, saying the mainland is totally different to his childhood memories.

"Today's visit has not come easily for myself, my family or my colleagues," he said.

"We highly cherish and will take advantage of the valuable opportunity to listen, see and know more about the mainland."

The KMT chairman noted that he was looking forward to his talks with CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao this afternoon, which are scheduled to be broadcast live at 3:00 pm.

To fully prepare for the talks, Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, held a working meeting with KMT Secretary-General Lin Feng-cheng yesterday.

At 9:45 am today, Lien will deliver a speech at Peking University followed by a question-and-answer session.

Lien visited the Forbidden City yesterday afternoon and enjoyed folk arts performances such as Peking Opera at the famous Laoshe Teahouse in downtown Beijing in the evening.

Source: China Daily