"Now with the development of the economic globalization and an outstanding trend of regional economic cooperation, both the mainland and Taiwan are faced with great chances for development," said Li Meng, vice-chairman of the central committee of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party.

"Reunification will benefit both (mainland and Taiwan) while separation will hurt both."

Zhang Huaixi, vice-chairman of the central committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy also spoke at the seminar, held to mark the eighth anniversary of President Jiang Zemin's keynote speech on the Taiwan question.

He said reunification will aid the development of Taiwan's economy and allow Taiwanese compatriots to join those on the mainland carrying out their rights of running the country while still keeping their present social system and lifestyle.

"Peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems' are not only in the interest of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and the overseas Chinese, but will also be conducive to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," said Zhang.

Last year, mainland visits by Taiwanese reached 3 million and the cross-Straits indirect trade volume hit US$40 billion for the first time. The mainland has replaced the United States as Taiwan's biggest export market.

On January 30, 1995, President Jiang made an important speech on the Taiwan question in which he put forward an eight-point proposal to develop cross-Straits relations, setting out the guiding principles for Beijing's policy towards Taiwan in the following years.

The Beijing commemoration took place shortly before Taiwanese chartered planes landed on mainland soil for the first time since 1949, taking Taiwanese business people home for the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year.

On Friday, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen stressed that the establishment of cross-Straits communication links should not be further put off and described the early implementation of the cross-Straits direct trade, transport and postal services as "the trend of the times, the desire of the people and the most pressing matter of the moment."

Cheng Lu, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said: "We hope the Taiwan authorities will give up all Taiwan separatist attempts and words and carry out concrete efforts for the future of Taiwan and the fundamental interests of the Taiwanese people.

"We hope the Taiwan authorities will attach importance to calls from business people on both sides of the Straits to realize the three direct links and the normalization of economic and trade transactions."

(China Daily January 27, 2003)