Taiwan's new economic policies are designed to promote cross-Strait trade and economic ties that bring both sides new business opportunities, Vincent C. Siew, chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, said on Sunday.

China Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Siew jointly presided over a round-table discussion on cross-strait trade on Sunday at the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in the southern Hainan Province.

More than 30 industrialists, academics and officials from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan presented at the conference, discussing details of how to step up the cooperation.

Siew said he would make active efforts to fulfill the promises he made during the recent election after he took office next month, including pushing forward cross-Strait negotiations and financial market openings as well as relaxing restrictions for mainland tourist travel to Taiwan.

Chen said the Chinese mainland and Taiwan should work together to seek mutual development and prosperity when the cross-strait relationship was facing a historic opportunity.

Siew left Haikou on Sunday afternoon. It was the sixth time he had headed the Taiwan delegation for the BFA since 2003.

The 2008 BFA annual meeting was held from Friday to Sunday with the theme of "Green Asia: Moving Towards Win-Win Through Changes".

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2008)