Lien Chan, honorary chairman of Taiwan-based Kuomintang Party, has expressed his regret that the Taiwan authority, headed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), blocked the planned cross-Straits trade forum.

The forum was due to be held in Taipei at the end of 2005.

"It's a pity that the DPP authority rejected applications of residents on the Chinese mainland for participating in the forum," Taiwan media quoted Lien as saying on Thursday.

Lien Chan made the remarks while heading the Kuomintang think-tank to discuss tourism in Taipei.

He said the Chinese mainland not only has contacts with Taiwan's opposition party but also expressed wishes to communicate with the Taiwan people.

The Kuomintang Party invited 60-plus people from the Chinese mainland to join the cross-Straits trade forum, which, according to Lien, is a "good channel for communication and an opportunity to solve problems".

Lien did not rule out the forum being transferred to Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland but made it clear he preferred it to be held in Taiwan.

He also criticized the two recent speeches made by the Taiwan authority leader. He said they had "frozen everything", adding that Taiwan's tourism should be open to residents on the Chinese mainland.

Source: Xinhua