Vice-President Hu Jintao yesterday reiterated the importance of the one-China policy in improving cross-Straits ties.

Joining the discussions of Taiwan deputies to the National People's Congress, Hu said economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits should be promoted.

He also said that great hopes should be placed on the Taiwan compatriots for the mother-land's reunification. Efforts should be made to unite people on both sides of the Straits to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he added.

Hu said the central government would continuously put great effort into promoting the three direct links across the Taiwan Straits - mail, transport and trade.

He urged governments at various levels to carefully implement the Law on the Protection of Investment of Taiwan Compatriots and other relevant rules and regulations, improve the local investment environment and provide good services to Taiwan business people who invest in the Chinese mainland.

He stressed that peace, stability and development are the common aspirations of the Taiwan people. He added that more and more Taiwan compatriots have come to realize that declaring independence would only harm both sides of the Straits and more channels of communication could lead to a win-win situation.

During a panel discussion of congress deputies from East China's Jiangsu Province, President Jiang Zemin pointed out that it was necessary to harmoniously develop both urban and rural areas in different regions in order to build a xiaokang society - one that is well-off in an all-round way.

Jiang said the agricultural sector should get the top priority in China's economic development.

He suggested that Jiangsu Province could advance more quickly towards a well-off society because the province boasted certain geographical advantages, a strong economy and a rich culture.

Jiang said that the province should give full play to its good-quality processing industry and abundant labour resources, and further enhance the global competitiveness of its industries and enterprises.

Li Peng, chairman of the Ninth NPC Standing Committee, yesterday called for faster economic and social growth in South China's Guangdong Province.

Other members of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee also took part in panel discussions yesterday.

Jia Qinglin joined the discussion of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and Zeng Qinghong took part in the discussions of Chongqing Municipality and Qinghai Province. Wu Guanzheng participated in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region discussion, while Luo Gan joined that of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

(China Daily)