The European Union welcomed Monday the positive momentum in the development of cross-Strait relations following the change of authorities in China's Taiwan Province.
The EU welcomed the inaugural speech by Taiwan's new leader, Ma Ying-jeou, and the statement by Chen Yunlin, head of China's top government body on Taiwan affairs, the Slovenian EU presidency said in a statement.
"The EU believes that the establishment of a new administration in Taiwan provides a unique opportunity for the two sides to make further progress in their practical relations," said the statement.
In his inauguration speech Tuesday, Ma reaffirmed his desire for stronger business and transportation ties with China's mainland. Chen said in a statement Thursday that peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait is "the common wish and mutual benefit of people both in China's mainland and Taiwan."
The EU statement said the new authorities in Taiwan "opens the possibility for them to take positive steps towards the resumption of a meaningful dialogue which will be of benefit to the people on both sides of the Strait and would enhance regional peace and stability."
The EU welcomes the willingness of both sides to take up these opportunities, said the statement, adding that the EU reiterates its one-China policy and its firm support for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question.
In a sign of the warming relations, the head of Taiwan's new ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Po-hsiung arrived in China's eastern city of Nanjing Monday for a landmark six-day visit during which he is to meet with Chinese President and Communist Party chief Hu Jintao.