Mainland, Taiwan to hold new talks

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The talks will focus on joint efforts to crack down on crime, regular cross-Strait flights, financial cooperation and judiciary assistance. The two sides will also discuss mainland investment in Taiwan.

The mainland says the two sides can explore practical ways to discuss Taiwan's application to join the World Health Organization.But there are preconditions that the arrangement won't result in two Chinas or one Taiwan one China.

The Taiwan Affairs Office says the Boao Forum this weekendwill provide another opportunity for the two sides to talk.

Li Weiyi, Spokesman of State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said, "Premier Wen Jiabao will meet participants to the forum from the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation during the Boao Forum. Wang Yi, head of the Taiwan Work Office of CPC, will also meet Taiwan guests at a round-table discussion on cross-Strait financial cooperation on the sidelines of the forum."

Li Weiyi says military exchanges across the Strait are also an issue between the two sides. He says he believes exchanges can start from an academic level in a mechanism of mutual trust in military security, or from exchanges between retired military servicemen.

Editor:Liu Anqi