Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Taiwan dignitaries in Shanghai Thursday, who are here to attend the World Expo opening ceremony. (Xinhua Photo)
SHANGHAI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Taiwan dignitaries in Shanghai Thursday, who are here to attend the World Expo opening ceremony.
Hu extended his warm welcome to the VIPs and people of various circles from Taiwan, including Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairmen Lien Chan and Wu Poh-hsiung, as well as the People First Party Chairman James Soong.
"Shanghai's hosting of the World Expo is a pride of all Chinese people, including those across the Taiwan Strait," Hu said. "With our joint efforts, the Shanghai World Expo will be a successful, splendid and memorable event."
He said Taiwan's participation in the World Expo is an important result of cross-Strait relationship that has witnessed constant improvement and development over recent years.
"The mainland compatriots will be delighted to see at the Expo the achievements that Taiwan compatriots have made through their hard endeavors," he said.
"I believe the Shanghai World Expo will help boost the mutual understanding of people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait while enhancing exchanges and cooperation between them," he said.
Hu, on behalf of the mainland compatriots and earthquake-stricken people in Qinghai Province in particular, also extended sincere gratitude to Taiwan compatriots for their concern and support to the disaster relief operations in the quake zone.
