International

China, Taiwan for stronger cooperation

Both sides for further exchanges on economic and cultural fronts

DEEPENING TIES: Taiwan's New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming (left) with Zhang Dejiang, Communist Party chief of Guangdong, in Guangzhou, on Wednesday. — PHOTO: AP

NANJING: China's mainland and Taiwan voiced their common aspiration on Wednesday to intensify all-round cooperation between their counties and small cities.

Two hundred persons attended the "200 Forum" that opened in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Wednesday, including 100 representatives from 18 counties and cities in Taiwan and 100 lawmakers, or deputies to the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), from 28 counties, cities and districts in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces and Shanghai municipality. They are expected to discuss ways to promote cooperation and exchanges in economic, cultural and urban development sectors at the forum, which carries the theme of "cross-Straits cooperation, common development."

Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the forum is a "new form" for people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and a "significant event" in promoting cross-Straits cooperation and common development. "The occasion will enhance the mutual-understanding and friendship between people across the Taiwan Straits," he said at the opening ceremony.

"Counties and small cities from across the Taiwan Straits can certainly join hands in meeting the new challenges of the times and seeking mutual benefits."

Common will

It is the common will of Chinese compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits to enhance exchanges, dialogue and cooperation, as the mainland is going all-out to build a fairly affluent society and Taiwan is seeking a new round of rapid economic growth, said Li Yuanchao, secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

"It's our solemn mission and common responsibility to maintain, develop and protect the happiness and benefits of Chinese compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits," he said. He said Jiangsu Province, as one of the major interfaces for cross-Straits cooperation, wishes to take the opportunity to push ahead all-round exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.

According to Mr. Li, Taiwan compatriots had made 3.95 million trips to Jiangsu Province by the end of 2004, visiting relatives, seeking business opportunities and for sightseeing tours. "About 50,000 Taiwan compatriots are living permanently in Jiangsu Province," he added.

"Of the top 100 Taiwan businesses, at least 60 have come to invest in Jiangsu."

Wu Junli, a representative from Taitung county, said he hoped the "200 Forum" will enhance mutual understanding so that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan will work together in building their future on a "win-win" basis. Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, was also present at the opening ceremony. — Xinhua

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