The keynote speech delivered by Hu Jintao at the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has shown the goodwill for peace in the Taiwan Straits region and the pledge to protect the rights and interests of Taiwan people, said Chiang Pin-kung, vice chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, on Thursday.

"The inclusion of the pledge in the report reflects the mainland side's concern of Taiwan compatriots' interests and the goodwill for peace in the Taiwan Straits region," said Chiang at the opening of a Taiwanese-funded farm in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province.

The interests of Taiwan business people have been closely connected with the development of the mainland, he said.

"The investment by Taiwan businessmen in the mainland not only enhances the economic growth on both sides but also contributes to cross-Straits peace," Chiang said.

Taiwan business people will enjoy greater room for development once "political issues" of the Taiwan Straits are resolved, the KMT vice chairman said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2007)