Taiwan reaches out to China

Chen's speech marked his first anniversary in office

President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan has made new overtures to mainland China.

In a televised speech to mark his first year in office, President Chen said he wanted to attend the summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in Shanghai in October.

I hope the other side will be able to open its mind and jointly create a historic moment of hand-shaking between leaders of the two sides

Chen Shui-bian

And he said he was prepared to hold talks on any topic with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, which could lead to a historic handshake.

However, Chinese officials dismissed Mr Chen's remarks.

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said it was agreed procedure for Taiwanese attendance at APEC to be limited to cabinet level. Taipei traditionally sends an economics minister or businessman to the meetings.

"On the question of how Taiwan participates in APEC, there is already a memorandum of understanding," he told Reuters news agency, during a visit to Sri Lanka.

"It is not a question of anyone can attend. Taiwan must observe this memorandum of understanding."

A BBC correspondent in China says the government there has ignored Mr Chen and his calls for talks since he took office because it suspects his real aim is independence for the island.

Coalition

Beijing sees Taiwan as a part of its territory under the One China Principle and fiercely opposes any moves towards independence.

Chen wants to meet the Chinese president

But Mr Chen called on China to be open-minded.

"[I] hope the other side will be able to open its mind, create a new era in history with courage, and jointly create a historic moment of hand-shaking between leaders of the two sides," he said.

Elsewhere in his speech, President Chen said he would be forming a coalition government after elections in December.

The Taiwanese parliament is dominated by the opposition Nationalists, who have blocked the policies of Mr Chen's minority Progressive Party.

But he said that regardless of the election results he would form an alliance with the majority of MPs to restructure parliament and stabilise politics.