CPC lauds KMT visit as success

cctv.com 05-04-2005 09:46

The Taiwan Work Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee held a press conference Tuesday, calling Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan's mainland visit a success. The press conference was held just after Lien left Shanghai for Taipei, ending a historic eight-day tour of four mainland cities. His visit marked the first top-level talks between the CPC and the Kuomintang in 60 years.

The Chinese mainland welcomes all parties of Taiwan to come and visit under the principle of One China. This was the main message delivered at Tuesday's press conference. Wang Zaixi, deputy director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee went on to detail the achievements of Lien Chan's visit to the mainland.

Wang Zaixi said: "Lien Chan's delegation's visit to the mainland was a significant event in relations between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang. Formal talks between Hu Jintao and Lien made history as they marked the first meeting between leaders of the two parties in 60 years. The talks also had significant historic and practical meaning in promoting cross-strait relations."

Regarding the upcoming visit of Taiwan's People First Party chairman, James Soong, the deputy director said the mainland expects more consensus to be reached between the two parties.

Wang said: "Regarding James Soong's visit, we hope to see more consensus being reached. There are differences between the People First Party and the Kuomintang. Mr Soong will display his own distinctive characteristics during his visit. Any consensus that might be reached will rely on further joint efforts."

At the press briefing, the official stressed the CPC's sincerity in achieving peaceful reunification with Taiwan. Wang Zaixi said talks with any party, including Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party, would be possible as long as the party concerned accepts the One China policy and wants to develop cross-strait relations. Some DPP legislators have already been on visits to the mainland in a private capacity. Wang said this could prove a stepping-stone along the path towards a whole round of peaceful negotiations between the two parties.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com