Taiwan's exchanges with China will become more complex this year because of preparations for a power transfer in the top of the mainland's political system, a top negotiator on the island said Monday.
Chiang Pin-kung, Taiwan's point man for talks with China, said the fact that China's President Hu Jintao will step down from his leadership roles in 2012 and 2013 could impact ties, the island's Central News Agency reported.
"It could complicate cross-Taiwan Strait negotiations, but 'professionalism' has been the keyword in the talks so far," said Chiang, according to the state-affiliated news agency.
He was quoted as saying he believed the talks will "keep moving forward".
Presidential elections in Taiwan could also affect ties with China, said Chiang, who is chairman of a semi-official body in charge of mainland exchanges in the absence of official links.
He did not elaborate on how the two events would affect relations.
Taiwan's President Ma was elected for a first four-year term in 2008 and is considered likely to seek re-election in 2012.
Under Ma, Taiwan's relations with China have improved dramatically, as he has implemented a campaign promise of improving the island's economy by tying it closer to the mainland's.
But Beijing, which has been separated from Taiwan since the end of a civil war in 1949, still considers the island part of its territory and has never renounced the possible use of force to bring about reunification.
earlier related report
Taiwan leader 'concerned' about Hu's US visit
Taipei (AFP) Jan 17, 2011 –
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday he was "concerned" about Chinese leader Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to the United States, urging the US to sell the island advanced fighters it has long sought.
Ma made the comment in a meeting with Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank, Ma's office said in a statement.
"Taiwan is very concerned about Chinese leader Hu Jintao's visit to the United States, and we hope that the United States will sell us F-16 C/Ds," Ma was quoted as saying in the statement.
Hu will visit the United States this week in his first state visit to the country.
Taipei applied to the US government to buy 66 F-16 C/D fighters in early 2007, but observers say Washington has held up the deal for fear of angering Beijing.
China opposes any arms sales to Taiwan, which it considers a part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war and have since been governed separately.
Taiwan maintains that it still needs to maintain sufficient self-defence despite improving ties in recent years.
Ma added that the fighters would replace outdated equipment and help the island defend itself, according to the statement.
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