Chinese Mainland and Taiwan Negotiators Express Hope In Sunday's Talk

China's mainland negotiator, Chen Yunlin, and his Taiwan counterpart, Chiang Pin-kung, have expressed belief that the upcoming talks between the two sides would be a complete success under joint efforts.

Chiang Pin-Kung, chairman of the island's Straits Exchange Foundation, arrived in Nanjing to hold talks on Sunday with Chen Yunlin, president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.

Chen says the upcoming talks, the third round between the two sides in less than a year, would focus on regular cross-straits flights, joint crime-fighting efforts, and financial cooperation. They will also exchange views on mainland investments in Taiwan.

"What is more encouraging is that people across the Taiwan Straits have felt the benefits and conveniences brought by the implementation of the agreements we signed last time. More and more people have shown their support and understanding for our work."

The two sides have signed six agreements since last June on weekend charter flights, tourism, direct air and sea transport and postal services as well as food safety.

Chen says the current global financial crisis is having an enormous negative impact on both economies. He says the two sides should work together to weather the difficulties.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's chief negotiator on cross-straits relations Chiang Pin-Kung says the six agreements had benefited people on both sides and broadened the foundation for companies across the straits to enhance their competitiveness.

"I believe that Sunday's talks will further broaden the basis for the normalization of cross-straits economic ties and lay a solid foundation for the peaceful development of ties."

The two organizations have agreed to meet twice a year on the mainland and Taiwan alternately after negotiations resumed last June following almost 10 years of suspension.