Taiwan authorities urged to lift barriers

The Chinese mainland will expand exchanges with Taiwan if the island removes obstacles hindering cross-Straits communications, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday after many newly elected county and city heads said they expect more cooperation with the mainland to boost their economy.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that with a correct understanding of the nature of cross-Straits relations, the exchanges and cooperation between counties and cities will definitely be more extensive.

In Taiwan's local elections over the weekend, the Kuomintang won 15 of the 22 seats being contested, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party landed six, with one going to an independent candidate.