Cultural relations next on agenda but Taiwan not so keen

Cultural relations will be the next big focus between Taiwan and the mainland now that the two sides have signed a trade agreement. But the Taiwanese seem reluctant to take that next step, at least in the eyes of political analysts.

The latest move corresponds with the mainland's plan to kick off the next level of cross-strait talks before moving on to political negotiations, analysts said.

In what was considered a further breakthrough, mainland Cultural Minister Cai Wu arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for a weeklong visit, becoming the highest-ranking mainland official to visit in 12 years.

Cai, who visited Taiwan in his capacity as the honorary chairman of the mainland-based China Friendship Association of Cultural Circles, said the two sides would 'actively seek' to negotiate and sign a cross-strait cultural exchange agreement yesterday during a cultural forum.

Cai said economic and trade ties were very important, but cross-strait peace and prosperity could not rely merely on the materialistic aspect, especially when there was 'no substitute for exchanges of culture and thought'.

He said that after the two sides had signed the Economic Co-operation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in June, they should now work to formalise cultural exchanges.