Taipei- Taiwan's incoming President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday
that in his May 20 inauguration speech, he will respond to Chinese
President Hu Jintao' "goodwill" so that Taipei and Beijing could
improve ties.

Ma, speaking to the Central News Agency (CNA), said the "16-
Chinese-character policy" Hu unveiled last month sets the tone for
future cross-Strait ties.

While receiving Lien Chan, honorary chairman of Taiwan's Chinese
Nationalist Party, in Beijing on April 29, Hu uttered 16 words meaning
(the two sides should) face reality, create a future, build mutual
trust and seek a win-win result.

"In his statement, putting aside differences to seek common ground
is old, but building mutual trust is new. I will respond to that (in my
inauguration speech)," Ma said.

Ma said both Taipei and Beijing were willing to launch cross-
Strait exchanges, which includes resuming dialogue, opening direct air
links and opening the door to Chinese tourists.

"If we resume dialogue, many goals can be achieved quickly. But if
China squeezes the space for Taiwan's international activities and
creates obstacles to cross-Strait talks, China must be responsible for
pushing back cross-Strait ties," he warned.

Ma won the March 22 presidential election pledging to seek peace
with China and revitalize Taiwan's deteriorating economy. China has not
openly commented on Ma's election win because Beijing does not
recognize the Taiwan government's legitimacy, but hinted it welcomed
his pro-China statements.

Analysts said Beijing would be closely watching Ma's inauguration
speech so that it could decide if Ma is a man Beijing can trust and if
Beijing should cooperate with Ma in opening direct air links and
facilitating tourism across the Taiwan Strait. (dpa)