1. China's Hu urges world peace, prosperity in New Year address
BEIJING, Dec. 31-- Chinese President Hu Jintao called for world peace, stability and prosperity in a New Year address broadcast on Wednesday to domestic and overseas audiences via state TV and radio stations.
"We sincerely hope all countries will support and help each other and work together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the world and bring to the people of all nations a peaceful and happy life," Hu said.
The year 2008 has been very eventful and extraordinary for the Chinese people, he said, and he thanked the people of the world for their support and help in the past year.
Hu listed the effort against the unusual snow in southern China in the beginning of 2008, the 8.0-magnitude May 12 Sichuan earthquake, the successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics, the flight of the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft and the hosting of the Asia-Euro Summit in October.
The past year also marked the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the country has pressed ahead with the drive, Hu said. He noted that Chinese people of all ethnic groups are working hard for an even better life.
Hu said that "2009 will be a historic year for the Chinese people," as it will mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. "Historic changes have taken place in China in the past 60 years. So have its relations with the world."
"We will continue to adhere to the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' and 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong', 'Macao people governing Macao' with a high degree of autonomy. We will join hands with compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of both regions," he said.
The world is undergoing major changes, with the overall international situation stable but the global financial crisis rapidly spreading, Hu said. World economic growth is dramatically slowing and world peace and development still face severe challenges.
"Strengthening international cooperation and jointly coping with the challenges are the common aspirations of people around the world and a must for promoting the common development of all countries.
"I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that China will unswervingly adhere to a peaceful development and opening-up policy that aims at win-win and reciprocity, actively exchange and cooperate with the countries of the world, actively participate in international efforts to weather the global financial crisis, seek to promote world economic growth and the progress of human civilization and continue to work with all nations to help build a world of lasting peace, common prosperity and harmony."
Source: Xinhua (www.chinaview.cn)
2. President Hu offers six proposals for peaceful development of cross-Strait relationship
BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- President Hu Jintao offered six proposals to promote the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship in a speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" here on Wednesday.
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".
"Once the two sides reach a common understanding and accordant stance on the principle of one China, the foundation of political mutual trust will be laid and anything can be talked about between the two sides," he said.
Hu proposed that the two sides end hostility and reach peaceful agreements under the one China principle.
The two sides can start discussion about political relations under the special condition before reunification in a pragmatic manner, he said.
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.
To accompany his political stance, Hu made trade appeals to the island, proposing both sides should establish a collaboration mechanism by economic agreement which "would be mutually beneficial to both sides".
"We will continue to take measures to push forward cross-Straits cultural and educational exchange to a broader and higher stage, including conferring with Taiwan on a cultural and educational exchange protocol," Hu said.
He called on both the mainland and Taiwan to increase communication and exchange in all circles and the mainland will actively respond to any constructive proposals from the island which will boost peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC),China's top legislature, issued the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" on Jan. 1, 1979.
In this statement, the mainland first proposed to end the military confrontation across the Taiwan Straits through dialogues and welcomed exchanges between the two sides.
Source: Xinhua (www.chinaview.cn)
