Capping off his tour of China, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
Addressing China-based Taiwanese businesspeople over lunch in Shanghai yesterday, Lien said he had encouraged Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) on Friday to give his blessing to Taiwan signing an FTA with ASEAN.
ASEAN will soon emerge as one of the largest markets in the world and Taiwan must not let opportunities slip out of its grasp during this critical period, Lien said.
Lien also emphasized the importance of future economic cooperation between Taiwan and China in light of China's rapid economic growth.
The direction of economic cooperation between China and Taiwan called for the establishment of a "common market" between the two countries, Lien said. He added that Hu promised to facilitate economic and trade proposals formulated during KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun's (
During a press conference in Shanghai, Lien also elaborated on the agreement to open a cross-party communication channel.
KMT Secretary-General Lin Feng-cheng (
Besides increasing communication between both parties, the channel would plan forums on cross-strait peace and on economic issues.
Lien spent a busy day in Shanghai yesterday, also meeting with top Chinese negotiator Wang Daohan (
At a press conference held after Lien's private meeting with Wang, KMT spokesman Chang Jung-kung (
Lien praised Wang as a historical figure in cross-strait relations whom he respected, and thanked Wang for his contributions. He also reminisced with Wang over the late Straits Exchange Foundation head Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫).
Wang met with Koo, Taiwan's top negotiator with China, in an official capacity on two occasions. The first Koo-Wang talks in April 1993 marked the first rendezvous of government-authorized negotiators from China and Taiwan in nearly 50 years.
Koo died aged 88 in March.
During the meeting, Lien presented Wang with a painting by Koo that Koo's widow, Cecilia Koo (
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