With secessionist activities stepped up in Taiwan island and cross-Straits relations in jeopardy at present, Hu Jintao on Monday called for discussion with the Taiwan side on a formal end to the state of hostility and to reach a peace agreement under the condition of one-China principle.

"Here we would like to make a solemn appeal: On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement, construct a framework for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and thus usher in a new phase of peaceful development," Hu said in a report to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

"At present, the forces for 'Taiwan independence' are stepping up their secessionist activities, seriously jeopardizing the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations," Hu told more than 2,000 delegates to the congress that opened Monday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2007)