Taipei  - The Red Cross societies of Taiwan and China are to increase cooperation with the signing of an agreement that follows improved relations across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) said Wednesday.

Chen Shih-kuei, secretary general of the Taiwan Red Cross, was quoted as saying that a pact was to be signed soon in Taipei with China's Red Cross. Their first agreement was signed 19 years ago.

The new agreement is to include cooperation in the areas of medical assistance and sea rescues, Chen said.

Taipei - Taiwan's pool champion Wu Chia-ching has rejected Taiwan's offer to keep him in Taiwan and is determined to play for Singapore, a newspaper said Tuesday.

The Apple Daily said Wu has rejected the Chinese-Taipei Billiard Association's condition for putting him back on the Taiwan team.

The association had said it would find Wu a sponsor in exchange for his promising not to play for a foreign country for three years.

Taipei  - Taiwan's former first lady Wu Shu-chen Tuesday denied that she had embezzled government money during a face-off with a defendant-turned-witness at a Taipei trial.

"All the money was used by president Chen for public events and secret diplomatic missions," said Wu, who was charged along with her husband Chen Shui-bian with embezzlement, acceptance of bribes, money laundering and document forgery.

Taipei - The 2009 Taipei International Cycle Show opened Tuesday with nearly 800 exhibitors showcasing products and designs.

The four-day show was expected to attract 30,000 potential buyers. A total of 938 bike producers from 55 countries submitted entries to a design contest.

Taiwan used to be known as the "Bicycle Kingdom," but has shifted from mass-producing ordinary bikes to producing only high-end models in recent years.

Taipei  - Taiwan police have arrested a funeral parlour worker who stole cash and jewelry from a dead American, a newspaper said Tuesday.

Chen Chien-feng was arrested Monday for stealing 3,700 Taiwan dollars (100 US dollars) and jewelry from the home of Sandy Richard Puckett, a 60-year-old teacher at the Taipei American School, while removing Puckett's body Monday morning, the China Times said.

Taipei  - Taiwan has congratulated Mauricio Funes on his victory in El Salvador's presidential election and vowed to strengthen diplomatic ties with the Central American country, the Central News Agency (CNA) said Tuesday.

CNA said that after Funes, the left-wing candidate, had won the Sunday's election, Taiwan's ambassador to El Salvador Liao Shih-chieh went to Funes' campaign headquarters to deliver the message of congratulation from President Ma Ying-jeou.