Taipei, Aug. 26 (CNA) Mainland China should not impose any political barrier to the proposed opening of direct "three links" across the Taiwan Strait, a senior mainland affairs official said Saturday.
Jan Jyh-horng, director of the Research and Planning Department of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council, which charts Taiwan's policy toward the mainland, was responding to mainland Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen's remarks on the "three links" issue.
Qian said during a meeting with a delegation from Taiwan's United Daily News (UDN) press group that the opening of direct cross-strait trade, mail and transportation links "could be easily resolved under the 'one China' principle."
As Beijing's "one China" principle downgrades the Republic of China's sovereign status, Jan said, Qian's remarks were tantamount to setting a political barrier to opening the "three links."
Without the removal of political barriers, Jan said, the two sides cannot sit down to discuss technical issues regarding the opening of direct cross-strait "three links."
Noting that the ROC government has drawn up a timetable for opening direct "three links," Jan said the realization of the opening plan hinges on whether mainland China can face up to the reality and resolve practical problems in a pragmatic manner.
Jan further said the MAC is always ready to open talks with the mainland on practical "three links" issues. "We hope mainland China can deal with economic topics, such as the 'three links' issue, based on the principle of reciprocity," Jan said, adding that mainland China should not reject talks simply for political purposes. (By Sofia Wu)
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