China marks 30 years of cross-Strait ties

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 12-31-2008 13:44

Video: President Hu addresses symposium marking "Message to Taiwan compatriots">>

Click for more news in News Hour>>

China is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of an open letter to Taiwan compatriots.

Watch Full Video >>

On New Year's Day 1979, the NPC Standing Committee released the letter. It called for closer cooperation for early reunification. The letter and a series of policies afterwards helped bring about an end to non-contact and hostility, and ushered in an era of dialogue and negotiations.

This morning, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Hu Jintao, delivered the key-note speech at the commemoration meeting. He said the current state of cross-Strait ties is hard-won, and urged more efforts toward the revitalization of the nation. Li Ying has more.

The arrival of the New Year is usually a time to look back. And the development of cross-Strait relations in the past 30 years brings hope and joy at this particular time.