The world media and the international community gave favorable response to Chinese President Hu Jintao's proposals on promoting peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations. Ethnic Chinese in Britain, Portugal, the United States and other countries hailed the proposals as "pragmatic, sincere, flexible and full of new ideas."

OVERSEAS CHINESE LAUD "PRAGMATIC, SINCERE" PROPOSALS

Ethnic Chinese in Britain have paid close attention to Hu's address delivered at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", and said the central government's "foresighted and pragmatic" attitude on cross-Straits relations touched a chord with them.

Shan Sheng, head of the UK Chinese Association for the Promotion of National Reunification, said the six proposals not only sum up cross-Straits relations in the past 30 years, but also serve as a guiding framework for the relations in the coming 30 years.

The proposals of reaching peace agreements and jointly promoting Chinese culture are two new ideas, he said.

The 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization will serve as a link to unite the Chinese on both sides of the Straits, and their ethnic kinship, which can be best described as "blood is thicker than water," will enhance cross-Straits cooperation, he said.

Zhou Keming, president of Sichuan Association of the UK, said Hu's proposals were "very pragmatic," adding they are of profound historic significance for the long-term development of the cross-Straits relations.

President Hu's proposal of ending hostility is of great importance to the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, he added.

Deputy chairman of the Portugal Chinese Chamber of Business Jian Wenda, also a Taiwan compatriot, said Hu's proposals were more pragmatic and substantial than ever. As the proposals are all the more in line with their interests, Taiwan compatriots will find them more acceptable, he added. .

"The proposals take into account the common interest of people on both sides of the Straits and will be the best approach to national reunification," he said.

Hu's proposal on establishing a military security mechanism of mutual trust and discuss with Taiwan "proper and reasonable arrangements" for its participation in international organizations will surely be well received by Taiwan compatriots as the proposals comply with their wishes and helped dispel their misgivings, he said.

Shen Jiyao, honorary president of the National Association for China's Peaceful Unification in Washington DC, said Hu's proposals, which took Taiwan compatriots' interests into full account, were full of goodwill.

He said he was convinced that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations will have even brighter prospects.

Wu Huiqiu, president of the organization, said Hu's proposals are in the fundamental interests of the entire Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, and would win the support from overseas Chinese.

Liu Qing, executive president of the Federation of the National Association for China's Peaceful Unification in Southern California, said Hu's proposal will further the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations within a new and more flexible framework.

He noted that while stressing the one-China principle, Hu made the first direct mention of the Democratic Progressive Party, the so-called "Taiwan consciousness," Taiwan's participation in international organizations and other sensitive issues. These are indication of a more flexible attitude on the part of mainland leadership towards cross-Straits relations.

Zhang Wenji, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Institute for Sino Strategic Studies, said Hu's proposals showed that the mainland set great store by the wishes of people in Taiwan. Many issues mentioned such as facilitating economic cooperation, broadening exchanges, Taiwan's participation in international organizations and a cross-Straits peace accord have been major concerns for the many on the island, said Zhang, who is also a professor at the University of Southern California.

Steven Wong, executive chairman of the Unified Organization of Overseas Chinese Associations of New York, said Hu's speech not only showed mainland's goodwill and intention for peaceful reunification through negotiations on an equal footing, but also, on the basis of the one-China principle, made breakthrough by touching on some issues that have never been mentioned before, such as the appeals to the Democratic Progressive Party and the settlement of historic issues.

OVERSEAS MEDIA: PROPOSALS CONDUCIVE TO REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY

The international community and overseas media also spoke highly of Hu's address. Singapore's Foreign Ministry Thursday said it welcomed Hu's six-point proposals aimed at promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, adding that they mark a significant step forward.

Hu's proposals have undoubtedly provided a historic opportunity for ending the tensions across the Straits, which will benefit all the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits and contribute to stability and prosperity for all, the ministry said in a statement.

Singapore's Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao said in an editorial Saturday that Hu's speech demonstrated mainland's new concepts and approaches to the Taiwan issue.

Proposals such as ending hostility and reaching peace agreements under the one-China principle, and establishing a military security mechanism of mutual trust show that the mainland hopes cross-Straits relations could be more enduring, the paper added.

In its report, Itar-Tass, Russia's official news agency, noted that President Hu pledged continued support for Taiwan enterprises in doing business on the mainland, and encouraged mainland companies to invest in Taiwan.

The Los Angeles-based Chinese Biz News said in an editorial that Hu's proposals are a clear indication of the mainland's goodwill and will indeed serve as a medium- and long-term guideline for the mainland's Taiwan policy.

The proposals offer much substantive goodwill and once the cross-Straits military security mechanism of mutual trust has been set up, the tragic scenes of a military conflict between compatriots will not reoccur, the editorial said.

Other major international media outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, AFP, the Interfax and Kyodo News, also gave heavy coverage of Hu's address, and made analysis and comments on his proposals on cross-Straits relations.

Their coverage mostly focused on Hu's proposal for the two sides to make "contacts on appropriate occasions" on the military issues and on establishing a military security mutual trust mechanism.

AFP noted that the proposal for military contacts across the Straits is another sign of markedly improved cross-Straits relations. Kyodo news agency of Japan said the proposals would lead to further easing of tension between the two sides.

Editor: Yan