Taiwan's "security report" damages cross-Strait peaceful development

The so-called "security report", released recently by the Taiwan authorities, exposed the regional leader's obstinate persistence of the "Taiwan independence" stance and damaged the cross-Strait peaceful development.

The remark was made by Li Weiyi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Beijing on Wednesday at a regular press conference.

Li said the so-called "security report" systematically assembled the "Taiwan independence" separatist views of the regional leader, comprehensively slandered the mainland, and intentionally provoked the relationship between patriots across the Strait.

The release of the so-called "security report" also exposed the Taiwan regional leader's attempts to mislead the public, so as to alleviate Taiwan public's dissatisfaction on regional economy, people's livelihood and social affairs, said Li.

However, the report had been criticized and denounced by Taiwan public since its release, demonstrating that the regional leader's persistence to "Taiwan independence" and ignorance of Taiwanese mainstream aspiration for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, Li said.

He said with the common endeavor of the patriots on the both sides the Taiwan Strait, the cross-Strait relations appeared good tendency of peaceful and stable development. Opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities, and maintaining the peace and stability of the cross-Strait relations are the common wishes of the compatriots across the Straits.

"We will make utmost efforts with the maximum sincerity to maintain and promote the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations," he said.  

Mainland, Taiwan to open new direct shipping route

Passenger ferry service will begin between another pair of Chinese mainland and Taiwan ports on June 8, a Chinese mainland official announced in Beijing Wednesday.

The ferries will operate between Quanzhou of east China's Fujian province and Jinmen of Taiwan, said He Shizhong, director of the economic bureau of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

Fujian opened ferry services with Jinmen and Mazu, two small islands near Fujian, on 2001. Since then, the ferries have transported more than 1.4 million passengers and 3.96 million tons of freight.

"Operation of direct shipping services between Fujian, Jinmen and Mazu in the past five years have accumulated experience for realizing comprehensive direct sea transport links across the Strait," said He.

The ships only carry company flags to avoid sensitive issues. "This method can certainly be expanded to include other ports," hesaid.

The mainland side has always stood for realizing comprehensive, direct and two-way mail, trade and transport links, which is a necessity of economic exchanges and cooperation and personnel exchanges, said He.

Mainland opens "green channel" for Taiwan farm produce

A "green channel" road network on the Chinese mainland has been available since early this year to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products from Taiwan, said a mainland official in Beijing Wednesday.

The 27,000-km-long network, consisting of five south-north and two east-west routes, was opened on Jan, 15, 2006 for the vehicles carrying Taiwan farm produce, said Li Hua, vice director of the highway department of the Ministry of Communications, at a press conference.

The network reaches all the mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and covers all the major farm production bases and markets on the mainland, he said.

Vehicles running on the network can enjoy favorable policies, including cheaper toll charges, the use of special tollgate lanes and free from long-time detaining by law enforcers.

"It's convenient for the prompt transportation of live farm produces from Taiwan," said Li.

The transportation vehicles are only allowed to carry fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, milk or aquatic, animal and poultry products, he said.