KMT vice-chairwoman addresses Straits Forum

XIAMEN - The vice-chairwoman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang on Sunday addressed the fourth Straits Forum with a call for?establishing a positive and benign development model for cross-Strait ties by solving problems with a pragmatic and rational attitude and honesty.

Hung Hsiu-chu made the remarks at the event in East China's coastal city of Xiamen, where about 10,000 people from all walks of society, especially those from the grassroots of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, have gathered for exchanges.

Hung said people from the two sides are willing to communicate with each other with the utmost sincerity, which has laid the foundation for?the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties.

"We are very happy to witness the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and we also look forward to the ever-increasing competitive power of the mainland," said Hung.

"However, the mainland's main attractions for Taiwan are not only competitiveness. We hope that friends from the mainland can treat Taiwan with more understanding and consideration," she added.

According to Hung, the two sides have had a difficult time in achieving reconciliation from hostility, a situation that could be eased by taking advantage of the Straits Forum for better exchanges and cooperation.

"If we speak more words that are favorable to cross-Straits ties and do more things that can benefit both sides, we can establish a more positive and benign development model," she said.