Cross-Straits rail still on the table

The response from Taiwan will be a key factor in the implementation of infrastructure projects across the Taiwan Straits proposed in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), a top cross-Straits negotiator has said.

Chen Deming, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, said on Tuesday that the infrastructure projects proposed in the new five-year plan, including a high-speed railway linking Beijing and Taipei, are only some of the ideas from the mainland, and the implementation would require cooperation across the Straits.

"We have done some research, which shows the ideas are technically feasible and practical. It remains to be seen whether there are common aspirations and actions across the Straits," said Chen, who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee. He was speaking from the sidelines of the political consultative session.