Mainland to work with Taiwan to tackle economic downturn

A Chinese mainland official says the mainland is willing to work together with Taiwan to navigate through the challenges of the global economic crisis.

The Executive Deputy Director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs  Office -- Zheng Lizhong says the mainland is willing to work together with Taiwan to navigate through the challenges of the  global economic crisis.

The Executive Deputy Director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office -- Zheng Lizhong -- made the remark during a meeting in Beijing with heads of the delegations of Taichung City and Taichung, Changhua and Nantou counties of Taiwan.

On Sunday, the delegations wrapped up a two-day exhibition of farm produce and tourist attractions areas of central Taiwan. Zheng says the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations should rely on joint efforts from people on both sides. He also noted that cross-Straits relations are on a peaceful development track. And that has created favorable conditions for promoting cross-Straits exchange and cooperation. The officials from Taiwan thanked relevant mainland departments for organizing and hosting the event.

They also expressed their hopes for more pragmatic cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan. During the two-day exhibition, mainland buyers purchased all of the Taiwan farm produce on display, with a total trade volume of nearly 700,000 yuan.