Rivals 'just like Germany'

THE mainland should regard its relationship with Taiwan as the same as East and West Germany before they reunited, Taipei's de facto consul-general in the SAR said yesterday.

Cheng An-kuo, managing director of Chung Hwa Travel Service, urged Beijing to recognise Taiwan and allow it to take part in international affairs.

Mr Cheng said China and Taiwan were in a situation similar to that in pre-unified Germany.

'They both recognised each other and took part in international affairs.

'But eventually both sides could reunite,' Mr Cheng said in an interview on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong yesterday.