英语文摘:President Hu visits Taiwan businesses on mainland ahead of Spring Festival

ZHANGZHOU, Fujian, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao on Friday visited some Taiwan businesses in Zhangzhou of southeastern Fujian Province ahead of the Spring Festival to extend New Year greetings.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited a business park for Taiwan farmers in Zhangpu county of Zhangzhou City. The park, set up in 2006, houses more than 70 Taiwan-funded agricultural firms.

"We will try our best in everything that will benefit the Taiwan compatriots, and we will honor our words," Hu told the Taiwan business people.

He said the mainland and Taiwan were negotiating on the cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. "Its' something that will help promote cross-Strait economic cooperation and bring win-win results. During the negotiation process, we will put into full consideration the interests of Taiwan compatriots, especially those of farmers."

Fujian, which faces Taiwan across the sea, has won the central government support in accelerating the construction of an economic zone on the western side of the Taiwan Strait, Hu said, adding the economic zone would provide a new platform and opportunities for cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Hu expressed hope that more Taiwan compatriots would be dedicated to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and work with the mainland people for an even brighter future of the ties.

Huang Ruei-bao, chairman of the Zhangzhou Jiuh-Bao Biotechnology Inc., an orchid grower, said investment environment in Zhangzhou was quite favorable and he planned to further expand his flower cultivating base here.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese lunar new year, is the most important holiday for the Chinese, which falls on Feb. 14 this year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L front), who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), talks with a businessman (1st R) from China's Taiwan Province, at the Zhangpu Pioneer Park of Taiwan farmers in Zhangzhou, east China's Fujian Province, Feb. 12, 2010.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L), who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), talks with a businessman (1st L) from China's Taiwan Province, at the Zhangpu Pioneer Park of Taiwan farmers in Zhangzhou, east China's Fujian Province, Feb. 12, 2010.