Speaking in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mr Hu said China and Taiwan should “heal the wounds of the past and work together to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.
Taiwan, as part of a greater China, would increase economic competitiveness and enhance a sense of common national identity, he said.
The ceremony marked the October 10 1911 armed uprising that ousted the imperial Qing Dynasty, which had ruled since 1644 and was attended by former Chinese
President Jiang Zemin who had been out of public view due to ill health but who is expected to play a role in the leadership succession next year.
An expert on Chinese politburo politics, Cheng Li of the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, told the New York Times that Mr Jiang’s re-emergence was “highly political” and significant.
“Retired top leaders apparently want to have more say on the country’s economic policy, political succession and foreign relations, especially at a time when the Chinese public has become increasingly concerned about the administrative capacity and political unity of the current leadership”, Mr Li told the NYT.
Vice President Xi Jinping, “anointed” by Mr Jiang, is expected to succeed Mr Hu by this time nextyear when the real political horse trading will be between supporters of Mr Jiang and those of Mr Hu for seats on the Politburo standing committee.
