Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Wednesday that efforts must be made to unite all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, in order to achieve an earlier reunification of the motherland.
Jia made the remarks during an investigation tour of Hainan, China's southernmost province, after attending the Boao Forum for Asia.
Hoping that good use be made of the advantages of Hainan, which is China's second largest island next to Taiwan and closely linked with the latter via marine routes, Jia said that Hainan should take a more active role in promoting the economic and cultural exchange across the Taiwan Straits and serve well Taiwan business people on the mainland.
Jia urged people concerned to have a clear understanding of the four-point guideline on cross-Straits relations under the new circumstances set forth by Chinese President Hu Jintao in March, adding that a great deal of publicity should also be given to the Anti-Secession Law.
During his inspection tour, Jia asked locals, who live on a tropical island, to give top priority to environmental protection and construction, and to strive to build an energy-saving and eco-friendly society in order to enable both human beings and nature to develop harmoniously.
(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2005)