Professionals from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan started discussions on economic and financial cooperation in Taipei Wednesday.

The symposia, one on industry and shipping and the other on finance, were held against the backdrop of international financial crisis and struggling world economy.

The Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) president, Chen Yunlin, and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman, Chiang Pin-kung attended the two symposia.

Chen said earlier that it's imperative for the two sides to cooperate to withstand the financial crisis and to further boost the economies of the two sides.

Chen arrived in Taipei on Monday for a five-day historic visit to Taiwan. His visit marks the first talks between ARATS and SEF leaders in the island ever.

On Tuesday, Chen and Chiang signed agreements on direct shipping and flights, postal services and food safety.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2008)