The Chinese mainland appreciates some common understanding on three direct links in trade, transportation and postal services across the Taiwan Straits reached by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits of the mainland (ARATS) and two delegations from Taiwan.
Li Bingcai, vice director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee and vice president of the ARATS, made the remarks in Beijing Friday in separate meetings with delegations of the Kuomintang and the New Party, both from Taiwan.
The delegations are visiting Beijing for the purpose of promoting the "three direct links" and have thoroughly exchanged viewpoints with the ARATS.
Li said the Chinese mainland have made unswerving efforts to promote the "three direct links" during the past two decades and have so far made thorough preparations for their realization, adding that the "three direct links" have witnessed partial progress by the efforts of compatriots of the two sides of the Straits.
However, due to the restrictions imposed by the Taiwan authorities, the complete "three direct links" have not been realized, Li said.
He stressed that the "three direct links" is an internal affair of China, and their early realization is in the interests of the peoples on both sides of the Straits.
He added that the "three direct links" should be promoted under the principle of "one China, directness, two-way and mutual benefit".
Li also expressed the hope that the Taiwan authorities would take a sincere attitude and concrete action to acknowledge the " one-China" principle and promote the "three direct links".
The two visiting delegations arrived at Beijing Thursday at the invitation of the ARATS.
(People’s Daily 01/06/2000)
