Cross-Straits relations witness positive turn

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-20 11:05

Beijing said on Tuesday the situation across the Taiwan Straits had taken a "significant" and "positive" turn.

Spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense Hu Changming made the remarks at a press briefing introducing a white paper on China's National Defense in 2008 issued on Tuesday.

"On the common political basis of '1992 Consensus', the two sides have resumed consultation and made progress," said Hu, adding the cross-Straits relations have been improved.

According to the white paper, the attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" to seek "de jure Taiwan independence" have been thwarted, and the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn.

The two sides have resumed and made progress in consultations on the common political basis of the "1992 Consensus", and consequently cross-Straits relations have improved, the white paper says.

Ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have warmed since the Kuomintang won the leader's election and returned to power in March 2008.

President Hu Jintao offered six proposals to promote the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship in a speech on December 31 of 2008 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan".

Hu said the mainland is willing to discuss with Taiwan proper and reasonable arrangements for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, as long as this does not create a scenario of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan".

Hu proposed that the two sides end hostility and reach peaceful agreements under the one China principle. He also suggested the two sides to step up contacts and exchanges on military issues "at an appropriate time" and talk about a military security mechanism of mutual trust, in a bid to stabilize cross-Straits relations and ease concerns about military security.