TAIPEI: Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, nearing his first anniversary in office, has voiced optimism, in a magazine interview, over the unfolding of closer ties between Taiwan and the mainland.

Ma praised President Hu Jintao for understanding the Taiwan consciousness, which Ma described an expression of the love the people of Taiwan feel for the island, and not an expression of independence consciousness. He added Hu has shown good will on many occasions and has worked toward establishing a good model for seeking peace and prosperity.

Ma, who has inaugurated May 20, 2008, has promoted closer cross-Straits relations. He said in the interview with Business Weekly Magazine he is satisfied with progress in relations over the past year. He noted the two sides have reached a consensus on promoting economic cooperation.

At the time of his inauguration, Ma vowed to improve the economy by seeking economic cooperation with the mainland and to reverse the hostile stance toward Beijing taken by his predecessor, Chen Shui-bian.

Since then, Taiwan and the mainland have held three dialogues and opened sea, air, postal and tourism links. An Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, similar to a free trade agreement, is expected to become the next milestones.

Ma set aside criticisms of his policy of establishing closer ties with the mainland, leveled by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party. "According to their theory, you cannot sign anything," Ma said.

"Our priority is the economy first because the economy affects us most. As for military and security issues, they can be left to second or third place," Ma said.

China Daily/DPA

(HK Edition 05/15/2009 page1)