Taiwan willing to maintain status quo: Ma

Taiwan marked the centennial anniversary of the 1911 Revolution on Monday, with leader Ma Ying-jeou saying that Taiwan and the mainland would work on enhancing cooperation and eliminating disputes.

Ma's comments came in response to President Hu Jintao's speech on Sunday, in which Hu called for the the peaceful reunification of the mainland and Taiwan.

Hu also said the rejuvenation of China must be achieved by adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics and by upholding peace, development and cooperation.

Ma said the 1911 Revolution is the heritage for both Taiwan and the mainland and reiterated his stand in promoting peaceful development across the Straits, saying that it is essential for Taiwan's prosperity. He called for the concept to be institutionalized and suggested that the leaders on both sides work on solving disputes and enhancing cooperation.

He said that "any one-sided decision to change the current situation across the Straits in the current stage would affect the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations," Phoenix TV reported.

Although Ma emphasized peaceful development several times, he also confirmed that Taiwan would continue to enhance its military power, in order to "protect the safety" of the island, the report said.

A military performance by air and land forces was held in Taipei on Monday, followed by dance and music shows. But officials in Taiwan have avoided calling the performance a "military drill," "in order to avoid criticism of being militaristic," according to a report by the Taiwan Union Daily on Monday.