ECFA talks get underway in Taiwan

Experts from the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan, ended the first day of their second round of talks, in the city of Tao-yuan Wednesday. It's hoped the meeting will pave the way for a long-awaited economic deal, that's expected to boost Cross-Strait economic ties.

Huang Zhipeng, a Taiwan official in charge of economic  affairs, says the two sides discussed three major  issues during the day's meeting.

Huang Zhipeng, a Taiwan official in charge of economic affairs, says the two sides discussed three major issues during the day's meeting. They include articles on commodity trade, the service industry, and the wording of the text of the agreement ... as well as an arrangement for future discussions.

Tang Wei, an official with the Mainland's Ministry of Commerce, says such an agreement will increase Cross-Strait economic cooperation ... as well as help the two sides cope with the impact of possible economic strife in the future, and the increasingly competitive international market.