The mainland hopes Taiwan authorities will actively promote cross-Strait tourism, and any "artificially created obstacles and delays" are unfair to the public, a mainland official said on Wednesday.

"We hope the Taiwan authorities will support non-governmental organizations on the island in promoting sightseeing tours to Taiwan by mainland tourists," Yang Yi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference.

"Mainland residents are looking forward to visiting Taiwan as soon as possible," said Yang, adding the mainland is always willing to do its utmost for Taiwan compatriots.

In response to a reporter's question about Taiwan agricultural products, Yang said sales of Taiwan fruit, vegetables and aquatic products on the mainland have boomed, and the two sides should conduct deeper and more extensive economic cooperation.

He hopes the Taiwan authorities will facilitate negotiations on the trade of natural sand. Sand is a key material for Taiwan's construction industry, sourced largely from the mainland.

"If the two sides set up an effective negotiation mechanism, consensus will be quickly reached," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)