Chinese President Hu Jintao called for promoting visits and economic and cultural exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to enhance the affinity of people and promote peace and stability.

"It's the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides to strive for peace, promote cooperation, advance development, strive for peaceful and steady development of cross-Strait relations and create better lives," Hu said during his inspection tour in east China's Fujian Province from Jan. 12 to 16.

The remarks contrast sharply with Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's New Year speech, which threatened to restrict the fast growing exchanges.

Hu said economic globalization, scientific advances and regional economic integration have brought "precious opportunities" for both sides to accelerate development.

He called on "compatriots on both sides" to seize the opportunity and jointly push forward economic and technological exchanges and cooperation, strive for early realization of direct transportation link and carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese culture.

He said the mainland side will create better conditions to support and encourage Taiwan businesses to invest in the mainland.

"Taiwan compatriots" are welcome to participate in construction for the Olympic Games and relevant activities, he said.

Hu said the mainland supports non-governmental organizations on both sides to hold talks on launching more regular flights across the Taiwan Strait as soon as possible.

He called for promoting cultural exchanges of various sorts across the Strait and beefing up exchanges between young people.

Source: Xinhua