Wen offers cross-Straits dialogue

By Xie Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-06 07:41

The mainland is ready to "end the state of hostility" with Taiwan by opening talks on cross-Straits political and military issues, said Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday.

But he emphasized the communications should be based on the one-China principle.

Wen, speaking at the opening second session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), said major breakthroughs were made in cross-Straits relations last year and the momentum should be maintained, urging both sides to strengthen cooperation in responding to the global financial crisis.

Wu Nengyuan, director of the institute of Taiwan studies affiliated with Fujian Academy of Social Sciences, said the premier's address "accurately represented the status quo of both sides and sufficiently showed the kindness of the mainland government".

Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou has reportedly been talking of launching a peace agreement with the mainland but feels the establishment of a military mutual-trust mechanism should be a "prerequisite".

Wu suggested military personnel on both sides should step up exchange programs, with only ex-servicemen from Taiwan currently able to travel to the mainland.

"Differences in the political and military arenas still exist but talks will definitely help in the long run. I think we are on the right track," said Wu.

Zhou Ruihua, Deputy Chief of Staff for Guangzhou Military Area Command, said Wen's remarks bode well for cross-straits ties, adding: "This time last year the relationship was tense. I think Wen's remarks show the government's new approach toward Taiwan, as ties have recently become warmer."

Meanwhile, helping Taiwan firms on the mainland to combat the financial crisis has become a top concern, not only for the premier but also for the 13 Taiwanese NPC members.

Liang Guoyang, group leader of the Taiwan NPC team and chairman of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said most suggestions from his members were about helping Taiwan companies on the mainland beat the recession.

"To learn the thoughts of the Taiwan people we sent a research team to Fujian, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing before coming to the NPC meeting," he said.

"We learned the biggest worry for Taiwan businesses is financing, so most of the suggestions from my group have been about solving this problem."

Suggestion to provide guaranteed government funds to mainland-based Taiwan assets companies, encouraging their innovation transformation and upgrading, was among the most popular for the NPC members.

Liu Xigui, mayor of Xiamen, Fujian province, the city closest to Taiwan on the mainland, said: "Insurance companies and banks from Taiwan have started to invest in Xiamen and we hope to become the pilot for financial cooperation on both sides."

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