Hu calls for "peaceful development and social harmony" in New Year speech

President Hu Jintao, spoke about domestic economic and social development in 2007 and policies towards Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong in his New Year speech which was broadcast by China Radio International (CRI), China National Radio and China Central Television (CCTV) to local and foreign audience.

According to Xinhua, Hu emphasized that 2007 would be "an important year in building a harmonious society under the guidance of the scientific development process." He added that the government will be a driving force for economic restructuring and stimulate the shift in the mode of economic growth.

Hu also mentioned that the government will increase efforts to address social problems, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

In his speech, Hu outlined the policy that Beijing will pursue regarding Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong, saying that "one country, two systems" will still be adhered to in Macao and Hong Kong, where their respective people will rule the territories.

On the other hand, regarding Taiwan, Hu said that China "will promote exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, safeguard peace and stability across the Strait and push ahead with the great cause of peaceful reunification."

Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian reacted to Hu's message by rejecting the "One China" principle. According to Yahoo! News, Chen said in his own New Year speech that "Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its 23 million people. It definitely does not belong to the People's Republic of China."

A spokesman from the Taiwan Affairs Bureau in Beijing was quoted by People's Daily as saying that Chen's remarks were intended to "unreasonably restrict cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, worsen the atmosphere of cross-Strait relations, and ruin the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait ties."

The unidentified spokesman also reiterated that China will not tolerate any secessionist moves from Taiwan.

China and Taiwan split in 1949 at the end of a civil war but China still considers the island part of its territory.

China has recently issued a white paper on national defense, calling for a strong military. The paper also named the threat from Taiwanese secessionists as one of the security challenges it can't ignore.