President Hu Jintao has met with visiting Honorary Chairman of the Kuomintang Lien Chan in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Hu said that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is in accord with the overall interests of the Chinese nation and the wishes of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He said this has already been proven by material progress made in recent years.

Hu also called on compatriots on both sides of the Strait to have faith in the path of peaceful development, as well as a promising future for cross-Straits relations.

Lien Chan said economy, trade, culture, education and tourism between the two sides have developed to a high level. He praised the peaceful development of both sides and hoped for further development.

(CNTV.cn February 26, 2013)