BEIJING - Former chairman of Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), Ma Ying-jeou, has been nominated to represent the KMT in the 2008 Taiwan leader election.

Ma was nominated at the KMT Central Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, according to reports by Taiwan media.

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According to KMT rules, the nomination has to be formally confirmed at the KMT party congress in June.

Speaking after his nomination, Ma said his prime goal is to improve Taiwan's economy.

He criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s closed-door policy in dealing with cross-Strait relations, saying that restrictions on cross-Strait business should be relaxed.

He proposed to develop tourism and allow mainland tourists to visit Taiwan.