General secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Hu Jintao said the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan faces an historic opportunity and needs joint efforts from both sides for further progress.

Hu Jintao spoke while meeting with Vincent Siew, chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation at the Boao Forum for Asia in southern China.

''This forum is providing enlightenment for us to think about across-straits economic cooperation and exchange under the new situation. 'At present, across-straits economic cooperation is facing an important historical moment. It needs both of our sides to make some effort.''

Hu Jintao also said under the new circumstances, the mainland will continue promoting cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Also, the mainland will continue being concerned about Taiwan compatriots' welfare and protecting their legal rights and interests, and will step up efforts to restore cross-Straits negotiations and talks.

Siew said the economies of the mainland and Taiwan were closely related, and the development of trade and economic relations had contributed to cross-Straits stability.

"Our two sides across-straits have become inseparable, this fact has proved that economic cooperation across the straits is the mutual expectation of the two sides.''

He also said he hopes the weekend charter flights program will be launched as soon as possible and mainland tourists would soon travel to Taiwan, adding that direct flights and normal trade ties had become an inevitable choice.

Siew has also stressed that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is the shared will and common interest of compatriots on both sides.