KMT chairman calls for establishment of "common market" across Taiwan Straits

Visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party Chairman Lien Chan called in Shanghai on Monday for the setting up of an economic cooperation mechanism across the Taiwan Straits to further enhance cross-Straits ties.

"The mechanism is the 'common market'," said Lien in a speech at a luncheon party hosted by Taiwan business community in the mainland for the KMT leader and his 60-member party delegation.

Against the backdrop of the current cross-Straits situation, such mechanism should be planned and promoted in a "specialized, long-term and in-depth manner," he said.

Acknowledging that it is not easy for such a mechanism to be put in place at once, Lien said that the pace towards that goal should be quickened in order to realize a "win-win situation" for both sides.

"I feel it will be a great step forward for cross-Straits relations," if such a mechanism is established, said the KMT leader.