Obstacles by Taiwan authorities hinder talks on river sand trade with mainland: official

The obstacles set by the Taiwan authorities have hindered talks across the Taiwan Straits on the trade of natural sand, a resource Taiwan's construction industry depends heavily on the mainland to supply, Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said on Monday.

China has announced that it will stop the export of natural sand beginning March 31 this year, to protect the resource and the environment.

"Sand is a natural resource that has a direct bearing on the environment, and the Chinese government has been very cautious to this kind of products," Bo said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the top legislature's annual full session.

However, the mainland will adopt different policies toward Taiwan and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, Bo told reporters.

"In terms of natural conditions, there is no big river in both Hong Kong and Macao, but Taiwan has rivers and there is river sand on the island," he said.

Meanwhile, the mainland has established effective negotiation mechanism and channels with Hong Kong and Macao, but not with Taiwan, the minister added.

According to him, the mainland is "always willing to do more to the benefit of our compatriots in Taiwan." Over the recent years, the mainland has been active in promoting the sales of Taiwan fruits, vegetables and aquatic products on the mainland.

"But the Taiwan authorities have set a lot of obstacles and made a lot of trouble in this regard."

"We hope the Taiwan authorities, taking into consideration the fundamental interests of the people from both sides of the Straits, would take actions to resolve these problems," Bo said.

Source: Xinhuaisit, Chavez and Morales also signed a series of other agreements strengthening economic ties and promoting cooperation on energy, under which Venezuela and Bolivia has agreed to set up the Bank of the South and the Organization of Gas Exporting and Producing Countries in South America so as to ensure the economic independence of Latin America, and promote cooperation between the underdeveloped countries and their integration.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Bush held talks with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Bogota, following visits to Brazil and Uruguay, and promised billions of dollars in U.S. aid to his closest South American ally to fight a decades-old insurgency and drug trafficking.

Bush said he would redouble efforts to force the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement through his nation's legislature and continue to finance Plan Colombia after a private meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Bush's seven-hour visit to Bogota met with protests and demonstrations. Hundreds of protesters burned U.S. flags and smashed windows at stores, banks and restaurants during clashes with riot police who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Clashes between the police and protestors left 12 injured.

Bush is to head to Guatemala later in the day, and will conclude his trip in Mexico.

Source: Xinhua