Hu Jintao (right), general secretary of the Communist Party of China, meets with James Soong, chairman of the People First Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. (Photo: Xinhua)

Leaders of the Communist Party of China and Taiwan's People First Party agreed in Beijing yesterday that there will be no military conflicts across the Taiwan Strait as long as Taiwan does not seek independence, and both pledged to work together to promote greater trade and economic exchanges.
"Military conflicts will be effectively avoided as long as there is no possibility that Taiwan moves toward independence," said a communique issued after a summit between CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao and PFP Chairman James Soong.
Hu said "the compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese" and the 23-million Taiwan residents are "our flesh and blood brothers" who serve as a major force in developing relations and containing pro-independence activities.
"We'll take practical measures to promote exchanges and cooperation between the people on both sides of the strait, remove misunderstanding, develop mutual trust, love and support each other and build consensus as we work together with one heart for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.
The agreement reached during the talks represent a further show of goodwill by the mainland toward the Taiwan people and reflects the common aspiration for peace, stability and development of cross-strait relations, Soong said.
The new developments have built on the fruitful talks between Hu and Chairman Lien Chan of the Kuomintang Party two weeks ago, authorities said. The CPC and KMT agreed on five issues including the promotion of a formal end to hostilities, building a mutual trust military mechanism and allowing Taiwan to participate in activities of the World Health Organization, some of which were reaffirmed in yesterday's communique.
The CPC-PFP document said that Taiwan authorities are expected not to seek independence through "constitutional" changes.
The two parties also voiced their "firm opposition" to any activities for the "rectification of Taiwan's name" and "constitutional changes through referendum."
According to the communique, the two parties will join hands to promote the establishment of a framework for peace across the strait and a formal end to the state of hostilities through consultations and negotiations in a bid to reach a peace accord.
The communique urges the two sides to resume peace talks as soon as possible and take measures to solve crucial issues on the basis of "mutual respect and seeking common grounds while reserving differences."
The "1992 Consensus" should be respected and cross-strait peace talks should be conducted on the basis of the consensus, which highlights the one-China principle and sets aside discrepancies concerning specific political connotations of "one China," the communique said.
The two parties also reached agreements on promoting overall economic and trade exchanges across the Taiwan Strait on the basis of mutual benefit:
*The CPC and PFP will promote the realization of two-way direct flights across the Taiwan Strait by 2006.
*They called for closer agricultural cooperation and increasing sales of Taiwan farm produce on the mainland.
*The mainland will exempt customs duties on fruits and other Taiwan farm products.
*Both parties agreed to work to facilitate customs clearance of farm goods and their direct transportation.
*Both agreed to promote two-way, direct investment by enterprises and cooperation in banking, insurance, securities, transportation and medicine.
*The two parties will promote cross-strait negotiations on how to avoid double taxation on business people.
*People-to-people exchanges should be expanded, and procedures on the mainland should be further simplified for Taiwan residents visiting and leaving the mainland.
*The mainland should encourage and promote the employment of Taiwan residents on the mainland.
After the talks, Soong promised that the PFP will work closely with the KMT to ensure that the Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian, give serious consideration to the agreements reached in Beijing.