Proposal on cross-Straits ties hailed by observers

President Xi Jinping's proposal for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations for the new era has been warmly received by Taiwan residents and scholars, with many hailing the speech for injecting fresh confidence in national reunification.

In a speech delivered on Wednesday morning in Beijing, Xi outlined a five-point proposal for pushing forward the reunification of the nation, including democratic consultations and institutional arrangements, as well as better connectivity across the Taiwan Straits.

Huang Zonghao, a Taiwan resident working as a researcher at Shanghai Jiaotong University, said Xi's speech has provided a boost in confidence for national reunification. "President Xi's speech has sent out very positive signals and opened up new prospects (about reunification) in the new era."