A Chinese mainland official said Wednesday that if Taiwan authorities accept the "three direct links" as an internal affair of the country and treat the relevant affairs accordingly, the matter could be resolved quickly.

If Taiwan authorities adopt that position, the Chinese mainland side will welcome civilian groups or trade organizations in Taiwan to work with the mainland side for early accomplishment of the three direct links, said Wang Zaixi, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a forum on cross-Strait relations and economic and trade exchanges.

The "three direct links" refers to direct mail service, trade and air and shipping services across the Taiwan Straits.

Wang acknowledged the mainland side has been working for years for the early realization of the "three direct links" across the Taiwan Straits in compliance with the principle of "one China, direct two-way, reciprocal and mutual benefits".

However, Taiwan authorities have placed obstacles on the issue over the past four years and maintained that foreign vessels should be allowed to involve in cross-Strait shipping services, in an attempt to internationalize the shipping routes.

"That's the fundamental reason for the delay in realizing the cross-Strait three links," noted Wang.

The two-day forum, sponsored by the mainland-based Research Center of Cross-Straits Relations, opened Wednesday in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. Approximately 220 people from across the Taiwan Straits, including renowned entrepreneurs, economists and researchers, are attending the forum.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2004)