Taiwan leader moves to improve cross-Straits ties

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou indicated a willingness to improve cross-Straits exchanges on Wednesday, by pledging to update 20-year-old guidelines on cross-Straits affairs and establish agencies on the mainland and Taiwan.

Experts said Ma's pledge signals a willingness to promote the rights of mainlanders on the island and encourage more investment to help revitalize the local economy.

Ma of the Kuomintang, who was re-elected as leader in January, delivered a speech in Taipei on Wednesday stating that Taiwan will introduce a series of measures to boost exchanges with the mainland. The China Times reported that these measures include comprehensively revising the guidelines that deals with cross-Straits affairs, setting up agencies on each side and facilitating follow-up talks on economic cooperation.