Beijing urges Taiwan not to set obstacles to direct links
( 2002-10-17 00:27 ) (1 )

Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said Wednesday in Beijing that it is the strong willingness of all Chinese to develop cross-Straits relations and achieve reunification of the motherland.

The recent remarks of "Taiwan independence'' made by Taiwan authorities goes against the one-China principle, which is widely recognized by the international community, he said.

Qian made the remarks during his meeting with Wang Xiaolan, who led a delegation of officials from Taiwan's United Daily News Group.

Qian urged Taiwan authorities not to set obstacles to the three direct links which include commercial, postal and shipping links between the two sides.

The mainland adopts an open attitude towards cross-Straits journalism exchanges and hopes media organizations set up regular representative offices in each other's cities to promote mutual understanding, said Qian.

By August of this year, more than 26 million trips by Taiwanese to the mainland have been reported and 600,000 trips by mainlanders to Taiwan have also been recorded.