China leader calls for cross-strait talks

BEIJING, May 29 (UPI) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao, welcoming the chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang party, called for the resumption of cross-strait talks.

Wu Poh-hsiung's historic China visit follows the KMT or Nationalist Party taking power in Taiwan after the election of President Ma Ying-jeou, who campaigned for improved relations with China which claims the island nation as part of its territory.

The Chinese leader stressed the need for building trust between the two sides on the basis of "opposing Taiwan independence" and the "1992 Consensus," Xinhua reported. In the "1992 Consensus" both sides agreed there is only one China but left each side to interpret its meaning. There have been no talks on the agreement in recent years.

Hu said China understands Taiwan's desire to participate in international activities and that the issue can be discussed after talks resume, Xinhua report said.

The Taipei Times quoted Wu as telling Hu that his people want security, dignity and international space.

Taiwan also wants China to allow more of its citizens to visit the island nation and cross-strait chartered flights.

The BBC reported the talks between Wu and the Chinese leader is the highest-level meeting since China and Taiwan split 60 years ago. Taiwan has been under a separate government since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.