Overseas Chinese in Myanmar speak highly of Hu-Lien meeting

Leaders of overseas Chinese associations in Myanmar on Saturday spoke highly of a meeting between General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hu Jintao and visiting Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party (KMT) Lien Chan.

"The meeting was of great historic significance which will not only help ease tension across the Taiwan Straits but will also contribute to pushing forward the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland," Lai Songsheng, chairman of the Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Myanmar, told Xinhua.

Zhao Zhong, chairman of the Yunnanese Association, said the Hu-Lien meeting was a major event not only for the two parties, but also for all the Chinese people around the world.

The "common aspiration and prospects for cross-Straits peace and development" reached between Hu and Lien not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits but also to the wishes of Chinese people living abroad, he commented.

He said Lien's current "journey of peace" has received widespread support from the Chinese living in Myanmar, who also welcome the result of Friday's Hu-Lien meeting, the first between top leaders of the two parties in 60 years.

Zhao also urged Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian to make a self-examination, change his stance and comply with the wishes of the people.

Lien is leading a KMT delegation to visit the Mainland at the invitation of Hu. The journey includes visits to four mainland cities -- Nanjing, Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai.