BEIJING yesterday made strong overtures to Taipei to open negotiations on reunification with the mainland.
Wang Daohan, Beijing's top negotiator on Taiwan affairs, said the mainland was willing to 'work together to build a new China' as long as Taipei abided by the 'one-China principle'.
The chairman of the semi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), Mr Wang said there was 'much room' for negotiations and that Beijing was willing to open discussions with Taipei on 'any matter'.
He reassured Taiwan that Beijing would not harm her interests and said any parties were welcome to take part in negotiations.
'We don't just pin our hopes on the authorities, we also welcome any people and political parties to send their representatives to exchange opinions.' He also hinted that progress towards reunification could see generous concessions for businessmen of the breakaway island.
'We are all Chinese, so why can't we offer them more benefits,' he said during a meeting with Shanghai delegates at the 15th Communist Party Congress.