China to try to solve Taiwan 'peacefully'

BEIJING, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday China will strive to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully, reported China's government-run news agency, Xinhua.

"But we absolutely cannot allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China by any means," Hu said at a Beijing New Year's party held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Hu encouraged the CPPCC to rally Chinese compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to promote campaigns against Taiwan's independence.

Hu said the Chinese government will stick to the principle of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems." He said the government will adopt an eight-point proposal on cross-Straits relations.