"The talk (of three direct links) has been going on for too long. Now, it is time for concrete action," said the minister of foreign trade and economic co-operation at yesterday's Party congress press conference.

"The mainland's stance on the direct links has been consistent over the years," said Shi. "As long as the direct links are recognized as a matters inside China, and across the Taiwan Straits, the issue can be solved by business communities through non-governmental means.

"I hope that immediate action can be taken along these lines and that we can stay away from political interference," said Shi, in the presence of over 100 journalists.

Calling the direct links the "shared hope of the two sides," Shi said they could boost trade, communications and exchange across the Straits.

Indirect trade between the two sides reaches around US$30 billion per year, which has resulted in a trade surplus of over US$20 billion in favour of Taiwan. "Without the surplus, the overall trade in Taiwan would be in deficit," Shi said.

Shi also denied reports that the United States is talking with Taiwan authorities about a free trade agreement.

"US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick told me explicitly that the United States had not discussed such an agreement, and is not preparing to do so," said Shi.

China does not object to nations with diplomatic relations with China developing non-governmental trade with Taiwan. But China is "firmly against countries with diplomatic relations with China having official trade relations with Taiwan in any form," said Shi.

(China Daily November 14, 2002)