Causes of tension 'still exist'

The 'root causes' of cross-strait tension have not yet been eliminated, according to a senior mainland official in charge of Taiwan affairs. Analysts speculated that Wang Zaixi, deputy director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, was referring to the fact that the island was being ruled by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party. Mr Wang's remarks were delivered on the same day that Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian renewed calls for the mainland to resume dialogue with the island.