Taiwan to discuss trade pact with China in APEC

The statement by Lien Chan, also a former Taiwanese vice president, is in line with President Ma Ying-jeou's monthslong efforts to facilitate closer trade ties with Beijing to boost Taiwan's sluggish economy.

Speaking to reporters, Lien said he will help arrange formal negotiations between Taipei and Beijing on a partial free trade agreement. No date or place for talks have been set yet.

A trade agreement would permit the free flow of many goods, services and capital between Taiwan and China. However, the Taiwan government has said the pact will not include agricultural goods and will not allow Chinese laborers to enter Taiwan.

Taiwanese officials have said the pact would allow the island to keep its competitive standing in the region, since Beijing is set to allow tariff-free imports from Southeast Asian countries as early as January. Taiwan officials hope to sign a deal with China by next spring.

Lien said he will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao during the APEC summit, set to take place Nov.14-15 in Singapore, but they will not touch upon political issues because it would not be appropriate.

"The most important thing in cross-strait relations now is to work out major economic issues that have been delayed for a long time," Lien said.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory. Relations between the sides have improved significantly after Ma took office last May.

Ma has vowed to reduce tensions across the 100-mile (160-kilometer) -wide Taiwan Strait, but he has also said Taipei and Beijing should work on improving trade relations first before moving on to sensitive political and security issues.

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