It is the common aspirations of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to maintain peace and stability and promote development across the Straits, said Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Thursday afternoon.

During the historical meeting with the visiting Chairman James CY Soong of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, 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 expressed his confidence about the peaceful and stable development of the cross- Straits relations.

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".

Hu said he was confident his formal talks with Soong later would achieve "positive results". 

Hu continued that the historical handshake and meeting with James CY Soong will be always remembered.

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, meets with James Soong, chairman of People First Party in Taiwan in Beijing May 12, 2005. [Xinhua]

The visit of Soong and his 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.

The CPC top leader added that 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," he said.

Soong: Taiwan independence will only bring war and disasters

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.

James CY Soong said that he is full  of hope that the Chinese people will be able to resolve their past misunderstanding and problems on their own.

"Not only all the Chinese people around the world, but all  countries in the world show great concern over the results of our  meeting today," Soong said.

"They want to know whether we could pool the wisdom and ability of Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to resolve our past misunderstanding and problems by the Chinese people themselves,"  Soong said.

"We are full of expectations and hope that we can," said Soong, who leads a delegation for a nine-day "bridge-building journey" on the Chinese mainland.

He reiterated the People First Party's persistent stand to  support the "1992 consensus" and the one China principle and  oppose "Taiwan independence," adding that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should join hands to promote peace cross the Straits.