Ma sees direct trade, transport and post in two years, but delays on unification
The head of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang party has pledged to forge direct cross-strait links with the mainland within two years if it returns to power in 2008.
However, party chief Ma Ying-jeou said cross-strait unification might not be achieved by his generation, although he would strive to end the 56-year split between Taiwan and the mainland. In three separate media interviews at the weekend, Mr Ma said the KMT would push for the 'three direct links' - trade, transport and postal ties - with the mainland if it regained power.
'If the KMT wins back power, I believe the two sides should be able to forge the three links in two years,' he told the Asian news channel of Taiwan's ETToday TV.
This was the first time Mr Ma had given a date for introducing the links. The popular Taipei mayor took the helm of the party on August 19.
After ruling Taiwan for five decades, the KMT lost to the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party in the 2000 presidential elections.
Mr Ma, seen as the KMT's most likely candidate to contest the 2008 presidential polls, said the DPP had delayed establishing direct links with the mainland, which were vital to Taiwan's ambitions to become a regional and even global hub for business.
