Ignoring Beijing's latest offer to open preparatory talks on across-Strait free trade arrangement, Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian is requesting a FTA negotiation with the United States.

Meeting John Rockefeller IV, US Democratic Senator from West Virginia, in Taipei on Monday, Chen said that Taiwan desperately needs a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States to protect itself against Chinese mainland's growing economic dominance.

During the visits to the mainland, Mr Lien Chan of KMT (China's Kuomintang Party) and Mr James Soong of People's First Party, Beijing offered to open initial talks on across-Strait Free Trade Agreement, seeking win-win between Taiwan and the mainland. However, Taiwan authorities led by Chen has not responded positively to the proposal.

Source: China Daily