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SCMP Reporter

Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao yesterday unveiled his four-point plan for dealing with Taiwan-related issues, Xinhua said.

Mr Hu, who will take over from Jiang Zemin as state president at the end of the NPC annual conference, made his position known yesterday at a meeting with NPC deputies for Taiwan. The Taiwanese delegation, however, is not from Taiwan and most members have not even visited the island.

'Hu Jintao presented four opinions on Taiwan affairs under the new circumstances,' Xinhua said.

'First, [we] must steadfastly stand firm on the 'one-China' principle,' Xinhua said.

'Second, [we] must spend great energy to promote economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.'

'Third, [we] must thoroughly immerse [ourselves] in carrying out the policy of placing our hopes [for reunification] in the people of Taiwan.

'Fourth, [we] must unite compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to participate in the great enterprise of reviving the Chinese race.'

Mr Hu's positions largely echoed the 'eight-point proposal' on Taiwan made by Mr Jiang eight years ago, but also contained a few subtle changes of emphasis by highlighting the importance of economic links between the two sides.

Analysts have said in recent years that economic reliance on the mainland will eventually force Taiwan to return to the negotiating table.

In discussions with the deputies, Mr Hu explained that he would be willing to treat Taiwan as an equal in the negotiations as long as the island accepted the 'one-China' principle.

'We are willing to carry out pragmatic and equal discussions so that [we] can appropriately deal with issues that concerned the Taiwan side,' Mr Hu was quoted by Xinhua saying.

'We are willing to exchange opinions with people from all political parties and walks of life in Taiwan to promote peaceful reunification.'

But the party boss also reiterated that the mainland would never accept an independent Taiwan.

Official dialogue between the two sides came to a halt three years ago after Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian declared he would not accept the 'one-China' principle, which states that both Taiwan and the mainland are one nation.



Economic links form an important part of Hu's policy on Taiwan