Cross-Strait contact on economic pact due in late Jan.: Taiwan official

TAIPEI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will have contact over the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) around Jan. 20, according to the island's "Executive Yuan" head Wu Den-yih Friday.

The pact, believed to make systematic arrangements to normalize cross-Strait economic ties and bring economies of both sides closer, caused heated discussion over the past months, especially among Taiwan business circle.

At Friday's press conference, Wu said it was necessary and imperative for both sides to sign the agreement as it would be beneficial to Taiwan's future development.

Surveys showed that roughly more than half of Taiwan people were in favor of the agreement, Wu said.

He called on the island's enterprises which may receive benefits from the pact to voice their support for the ECFA.