Taiwan leader: Best time to improve cross-straits relations

Newly elected Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou says now is the best time to improve cross-straits relations.

In an interview with Hong Kong media, Ma praised a meeting at the recent Boao Forum for Asia between general secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao and Vincent C. Siew, chairman of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation.

He says the meeting is very important for the development of relations between the mainland and Taiwan. Ma says polls show people in Taiwan have become optimistic about the future of cross straits relations following his election last month.