Across China: Taiwan

Time 'not ripe' for talks

A senior Taiwan official says the time is not ripe for the island to hold political talks with the Chinese mainland because the two sides lack enough mutual trust.

Yesterday's statement by Taiwan's "Mainland Affairs Council" Vice-Chairman Chao Chien-min comes amid steadily improving ties across the Taiwan Straits. Chao says Taiwan is focusing only on trade issues in its mainland relations and political talks are impossible for now.