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China launches exercises

Beijing stresses importance of reunification efforts

— PHOTO: AP

RESOLUTE STAND: Chinese President Hu Jintao (right) and Premier Wen Jiabao (left) applaud as they attend the opening ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.

Beijing: China has launched military exercises, the Government said on Friday, days after rival Taiwan's leader angered Beijing by scrapping an agency dedicated to eventually unifying the two sides.

The exercises involved land, naval and air forces and simulated ``modern battle that is characterised by modern information technology,'' the official China Daily newspaper said.

On Monday, Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian announced the termination of the self-governing island's National Unification Council, along with guidelines calling for uniting Taiwan with the mainland.

The Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, convened its fourth annual full session here on Friday, stressing its resolute stand against ``Taiwan independence'' and sincere pursuit for peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations.

Secessionists warned

``We will never tolerate `Taiwan independence', and shall oppose and curb `Taiwan independence' secessionist forces and activities,'' said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, while delivering a keynote report on what the advisory body did last year and what it should do in 2006.

``We will adhere to the fundamental principles of peaceful reunification and `one country, two systems,' and maintain and promote a peaceful and stable development of the cross-Strait relations with our utmost sincerity and greatest endeavours to strive for a prospect of peaceful reunification,'' Mr. Jia said.

Top leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state, including President

Hu Jintao, top lawmaker Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao were seated on the central rostrum when the session opened in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. The session is expected to last 10 days and conclude on the morning of March 13. — Xinhua, AP

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