Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou has urged the Taiwanese authorities to follow up the achievements made at the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Forum.

A news release of KMT said on Sunday that the party has fulfilled its role of facilitating smooth communication between the mainland and Taiwan, but it is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' role to implement many of the agreements reached on the two-day forum.

Citing the cross-Strait chartered flights during the Spring Festival as a successful operation, KMT urged the Taiwanese authorities in the release to act as a promoter of cross-Strait cooperation.

Taiwanese media reports that the mainland's new package of beneficial policies to promote cross-Strait economic and trade relations released on April 15 would definitely bring hope to Taiwan's present stagnant economy and help alleviate employment pressure.

These policies include the removal of tax on imports of 11 kinds of vegetables produced by Taiwanese farmers and imports of some aquatic products.

Under the other new policies, the mainland will recognize university diplomas issued in Taiwan, which generate job opportunities for Taiwan students, and Taiwan compatriots will be allowed to get licenses for medical practice on the mainland.

All these will further strengthen the economic and trade relations between the two sides, and create more favorable environment for Taiwan to share the mainland's economic development, according to the Taiwanese media.

KMT also called for the Taiwanese authorities to change their negative attitude towards cross-Strait relations, saying that confrontation will bring disaster and cooperation will lead the whole region to peace and prosperity.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2006)