Cross-Straits relations enter new stage of peaceful development, Premier Wen says _English

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao holds an online chat with netizens jointly hosted by the central government website and Xinhua website in Beijing, China, Feb. 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
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BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Saturday that the relations between the mainland and Taiwan have entered a new stage of peaceful development.

Wen made the remark in an online chat with netizens at two portals, the www.gov.cn and the www. xinhuanet.com.

He said cross-Straits relations showed significant changes last year.

On Dec. 15, 2008, mainland and Taiwan started historic direct daily flights, postal and shipping services, ending a 59-year ban on such links.

The move came after a historic meeting between the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Chief Chen Yunlin and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung in Taiwan from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7, 2008.

The premier said cross-Straits economic relations are the biggest concern of Taiwan enterprises and Taiwan people.

"I would like to take the opportunity to show our stance that is we hope to improve cooperation with Taiwan to jointly cope with financial crisis, especially in the financial sector," Wen said.

Wen said the mainland and Taiwan should further improve cross-Straits economic exchange and cooperation through negotiation.

Such cooperation will benefit the people across the Taiwan Straits and help improve cross-Straits stability and development, he said.

Premier Wen calls for joint efforts with Taiwan to fight financial crisis

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Saturday that he hoped the mainland and Taiwan could join hands to cope with the international financial crisis.

The mainland and Taiwan should set up an economic exchange and cooperation mechanism through negotiation, he said.