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Beijing looking forward to resumption of cross-strait talks: official

ROC Central News Agency

2008-05-22 13:55:03

    Taipei, May 22 (CNA) Beijing is looking forward to the resumption of dialogue with Taiwan to build a new framework for the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations, a Chinese official in charge of Taiwan affairs said via the state-controlled Xinhua news agency in Beijing Thursday.

    The statement by Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, was viewed as Beijing's first response to the peace overture offered by President Ma Ying-jeou in his inaugural address Tuesday.

    Echoing Ma's call for the resumption of cross-strait dialogue on the basis of the "1992 Consensus, " Chen said the two sides are actively working to resume cross-strait negotiations based on such a consensus. "After the negotiations are resumed, we expect both sides to work together to address issues of Taiwan compatriots' concern through dialogue on an equal footing... (and) gradually build up a new framework for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, " Chen was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

    Also, Chen said Beijing will work harder to promote the launch of direct cross-strait transportation, trade and postal links and cross-strait exchanges.

    Apparently pointing to the pro-unification Kuomintang's return to power following Ma's inauguration, Chen claimed that the recent changes in the situation in Taiwan indicated "a lack of support for 'Taiwan independence' among the local people."

    Chen said Beijing will continue to work toward the goal of peaceful unification and will oppose and deter the pro-independence separatist movement.

    However, Chen also said Beijing will continue to strengthen exchanges with members of all political parties in Taiwan and welcomes "those who used to have illusions of Taiwan independence" to "return to the correct path of peaceful development of cross-strait relations."

    Avoiding any commitment to immediate unification in his inaugural address, Ma pledged to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and stick to the policy of "no unification, no independence and no use of force."

    Ma called for an early resumption of cross-strait dialogue based on the "1992 Consensus, " which he said allows the two sides to agree to disagree on the meaning of "one China."

    Also, Ma called for the two sides to pursue reconciliation and a truce in both the Taiwan Strait and the international arena so as to seize the historic opportunity to achieve cross-strait peace and co-prosperity.

(By Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM /pc