Chinese PM promotes cross-Strait economic cooperation

Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called on both sides across the Taiwan Strait to expand and deepen economic cooperation. Li said he hoped people in Taiwan would grasp the development opportunities brought about by the Chinese mainland's steady economic growth. He made the remarks while meeting with Vincent Siew, honorary chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2014. Li said he believes the mainland's comprehensive reform and further opening-up will inject strong impetus into cross-Strait economic cooperation. He said the mainland is willing to share development opportunities with Taiwan first and extend the range of its opening-up to Taiwan in an effort to boost cross-Strait economic integration and joint development. Against the backdrop of economic globalization and regional economic integration, closer cross-Strait economic ties will create better conditions for Taiwan to participate in the regional integration, Li said. He pledged to take care of the interests of Taiwan compatriots during cross-Strait economic cooperation. Vincent Siew urged both sides across the Taiwan Strait to advance cross-Strait economic strategic dialogue and policy coordination and build economic cooperation mechanisms with distinctive cross-Strait features.