[holding answer 6 October 2008]: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 22 March, the change of administration in Taiwan is a real opportunity to renew efforts to improve cross-Strait relations. We hope that the Chinese government and Taiwanese administration will continue to engage in direct dialogue to resolve differences and strengthen cross-Strait stability, with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the Taiwan question acceptable to the people of both sides of the Strait.
We welcome the efforts undertaken by both sides to improve China-Taiwan relations. We support the EU declaration of 19 September which similarly sought to encourage dialogue and commended the willingness of both sides to continue and widen discussions in the coming months, contributing to reinforced stability and security in East Asia.