Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said Sunday the mainland would take substantial steps to expand economic and trade relations with Taiwan.

Commenting on a package of new policies announced Saturday to boost cross-strait economic and trade ties, Hu said the mainland will actively push forward cross-strait exchanges in the fields of agriculture and education and provide Taiwan people with more job opportunities in the mainland.

The CPC leader made the remark Sunday during a meeting with Taiwan delegates who attended the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Forum in Beijing.

Hu emphasized that a mutually complementary and beneficial relationship is the effective way for realizing peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.

Referring to the so-called "marginalization" of Taiwan, he urged some people in Taiwan not to "marginalize themselves."

He called for joint efforts by the two sides to promote cross-strait economic and trade relations.

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