Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou said on Friday that his government will continue to relax ties with the Chinese mainland to build a stable cross-Strait relations.

In a televised speech on the island's "National Day", Ma promised to adopt more open policies in terms of exchanges with the mainland for the benefit of the Taiwan people.

Such policies included promoting non-stop cross-Strait charter flights, attracting more mainland visitors to Taiwan and expanding direct cross-Strait links for mail, trade and transportation, Ma said.

Cross-Strait relations have changed rapidly since Ma took office on May 20, as Taiwan and the Chinese mainland resumed talks that had been suspended for 10 years.

Ma said the efforts have eased cross-Strait relations and stabilized the situation in east Asia, winning support from the international community.

He expressed his hope that both Taiwan and the Chinese mainland could shelve disputes and extend political reconciliation to the international stage.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2008)