Leading Chinese economist Hu Angang has urged the Taiwan authorities to open up cross-Strait economic and trade exchanges to encourage sustained growth and prosperity on the island.

The Qinghua University professor told the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Forum in Beijing that the Taiwan authorities should adopt an attitude of responsibility for the future of the island and its people.

Taiwan had natural advantages in economic and trade exchanges, compared with other countries and regions in east Asia, and these were mutually beneficial, Hu said.

He criticized Taiwan leaders who had set up barriers on the excuse of reducing dependence on the mainland and ensuring economic security.

The restrictions had increased costs for businesses, by forcing them to choose between Taiwan, with its narrow and small market, and the wider prospects of the mainland, he said.

Hu said Taiwan had lagged in east Asian economic integration and been marginalized, due to the short-sightedness of its leadership.

Source: Xinhua