Taiwan has welcomed conciliatory signals from China which analysts said could pave the way for talks between the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Beijing.
"There has been no such goodwill gesture for a long time. We welcome it," incoming Premier Mr Yu Shyikun told reporters.
Chinese vice-premier Mr Qian Qichen yesterday invited members of the DPP to visit the mainland and sought to draw a distinction between the bulk of the party and hardliners opposed to the existence of an independent Taiwan.
Most Taiwan newspapers splashed his comments across the front pages, considering the speech a friendly move from Beijing which had previously condemned President Mr Chen Shuibian's DPP for its pro-independence stance.
Speaking on Chinese on state television Mr Qian said Beijing, which split from Taipei in 1949 after a bitter civil war, was now willing to accept visits by DPP members and would listen to and respect their opinions.
"We think this is a demonstration of goodwill and we would be happy to see its progress," DPP chairman Mr Frank Hsieh said. "It means that the People's Republic of China has started to understand Taiwan's political situation."
It also indicated that the DPP had made the right move by adopting a "centre" China policy - which meant the ruling party did not support either reunification or independence, Hsieh said.
The DPP amended its charter last year dropping the pro-independence clause and stating instead the future of Taiwan should be decided by people on the island.
Mr Chen Ming-tung, vice-chairman of the island's China policy maker, the Mainland Affairs Council, said: "We are pleased to see the other side sending messages which are helpful in facilitating cross-strait relations".
"The window for the resumption of dialogue has opened," Taiwan's China Timessaid in a commentary, adding the remarks reflected Beijing's intention to talk with the DPP and put bilateral exchanges on the right track.
AFP