BEIJING has committed itself to seeking peaceful reunification with Taiwan while failing to make a formal commitment to dropping the ''military option'' against the Kuomintang stronghold.
But the head of China's quasi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, Mr Wang Daohan, has hinted Beijing might consider declaring an end to hostility between both sides.
During a meeting in Beijing yesterday between Mr Wang and the visiting vice-chairman of Taiwan's quasi-official Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), Mr Cheyne Chiu, it was also disclosed that Mr Wang had already had direct contacts with SEF chief Mr Koo Chen-fu in the United States and Japan.
While bidding farewell to Mr Chiu at the Great Hall of the People, Mr Wang said the mainland wanted to use peaceful ways to achieve reunification.
''Both sides need to sit down and talk to increase understanding and to find out ways with which both sides agree,'' he said.
''The mainland will take care of the interests of compatriots in Taiwan, but it must also consider the interests of the entire Chinese race.'' Mr Wang, a former mayor of Shanghai who is considered close to party General Secretary Mr Jiang Zemin, also said it was acceptable that talks began with administrative and procedural matters.
Mr Chiu, who returned to Taiwan last night, reiterated Taipei's stance that under its mainland policy, relations with Beijing were only at the first stage of indirect, people-to-people ties.