China's President Hu Jintao on Sunday called for Taiwan and the Chinese mainland to reunite, as he marked the 100th anniversary of the revolution that ended the nation's long imperial history.
Speaking at a ceremony attended by top Communist Party leaders - including former President Jiang Zemin, who made his first public appearance since rumours emerged that he had died - Hu also ruled out Taiwanese independence.
"Achieving reunification through peaceful means is what most suits Chinese people's fundamental interests, including Taiwan compatriots," he said. "We must strengthen our opposition to Taiwanese independence... and promote close exchanges and cooperation between compatriots on both sides." The ceremony at the Great Hall of the People marked the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the Qing dynasty, bringing more than 2,000 years of nearly unbroken imperial history to an abrupt end. The Republic of China then emerged, but it only lasted until 1949 on the mainland.
That year, the Communists took power and the remnants of the republic moved to Taiwan, which still calls itself the Republic of China although Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
"Working together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations... should be the goal of both sides," Hu said, adding both should "heal the wounds of history". Relations between the two sides have improved markedly since the Beijing-friendly Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, its largest investment destination, and now also home to a growing number of Taiwanese.