Siew said the economies of the mainland and Taiwan were closely related, and the development of trade and economic relations had contributed to cross-Straits stability.

He hoped the weekend charter flights program would be launched as soon as possible and mainland tourists would soon travel to Taiwan, adding that direct flights and normal trade ties had become an inevitable choice.

Hu said the cross-Straits economic exchanges and cooperation had achieved a prominent progress after 20 years of development. Facts proved that the economic exchanges and cooperation was the most vigorous factor in the cross-Straits relations and an effective way to benefit people on both sides and expand their common interests.

Hu pointed out that in recent eight years, the cross-Straits relations "suffered twists and turns for reasons known to all", and people on both sides were not willing to see that.

He stressed that the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations was the shared will and common interests of compatriots on both sides.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2008)