Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Sunday that the Chinese government will never change its stance against "Taiwan independence," and hoped that the United States properly handles the Taiwan issue to support the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

"No matter what kind of changes take place in the cross-Straits relations, our stance of adhering to the one-China principle and opposing 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities will never change, and cannot be changed," Hu told U.S. President George W. Bush in Beijing.

Under new circumstances, the Chinese government will continue to push for the peaceful development of the relations across the Taiwan Straits, said the Chinese president, adding that China hopes to see Washington properly handle the Taiwan issue and support such peaceful development.

President Bush responded that the United States is glad to see the improvement of cross-Straits relations.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)