European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has urged China to open talks with Taiwan before Beijing hosts the Olympics in 2008.
"In the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, the international community would welcome China starting a direct dialogue with Taiwan as a sign of great maturity," Mr Barroso said in a speech in Beijing.
"This will also greatly advance China's international standing and reputation as a global player with a particular responsibility for peace and security in East Asia," he said.
Beijing has refused to deal with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, who takes a pro-independence stance on the self-ruled island that China claims as its own and has vowed to attack if it formally declares statehood.
