On November 21, 2008, Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and his wife Liu Yongqing met in Lima with Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan and his wife Lien Fang-yu.

“You are our old friend and I am very glad to meet you again today,” Hu told Lien. President Hu spoke highly of Lien's unremitting efforts in and contributions to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Hu noted that the current cross-Strait ties had registered sound development, and the four agreements signed by the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) during its recent visit to the island with the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) on direct shipping and flights, postal services and food safety, had brought substantial benefits to compatriots living on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The success of the visit indicated that the development of cross-Strait relations had turned to a new page, Hu said, adding that enhancing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation conforms to the common aspiration and the general trend.

Hu noted that the ongoing international financial crisis was spreading from some regions to the entire globe, from developed countries to nations with emerging markets, and from financial sectors to real economy. The compatriots living on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are one family. At this crucial moment, both sides should enhance communication to push forward their mutually-beneficial trade and economic cooperation to turn challenges into opportunities, he said. "We're willing to take practical actions and join hands with Taiwan compatriots to tide over the difficulties," Hu said.

He voiced his hope that both sides could seize the historic opportunity to benefit their compatriots and seek peace for the Taiwan Straits.

Lien said he was delighted to meet Hu again. He said the current meeting indicated the further development of cross-Strait relations and growing cooperation between the two sides. Most people in Taiwan welcome the agreements signed by the ARATS and the SEF, he added. The development of cross-Strait relations not only benefits the compatriots across the Straits, but is also what people worldwide are glad to see.

Lien said he shared with Hu's view that the two sides should strengthen economic exchanges and cooperation in tackling the global financial crisis, adding that both sides could make contributions to global economic growth.

Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of General Office of CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, attended the meeting.