BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A mainland official called for Taiwan Authorities' cooperation in facilitating a pair of giant pandas to settle in Taiwan at a news conference here on Tuesday.

Wang called the plan "a gesture of goodwill and affinity" made by the mainland at the end of the eight-day mainland tour of the Taiwan-based Kuomintang (KMT) Party of China Chairman Lien Chan. The plan was "wrongly interpreted" by the Taiwan Authorities as having a political connotation, which was "absolutely not the case," he said.

"We hope the Taiwan Authorities take the Taiwan people's anticipation of the cuddly pandas into full consideration, take a cooperative attitude in this regard and not disrupt the scheme," said Wang.

"While Taiwan compatriots have longed for an opportunity to see the beloved animal in person for a long time, the mainland has been planning to present giant pandas as gifts to the Taiwan people for years," Wang said.

"Now is the right time to give the pandas," said Wang.

Commenting on the proposal made by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, a KMT vice chairman, concerning presenting macaques in return to the mainland, Wang said "the mainland compatriots will be very pleased and welcome the primates."