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TAIPEI: Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou pledged not to "budge an inch" on the island's sovereignty dispute with China, on the eve of historic talks with Beijing, it was reported Sunday.
The Hong Kong-born Ma also denied accusations from the pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that he was selling out Taiwan to Beijing, in an interview with the Taipei-based United Daily News.
His remarks came a day before the arrival of Chen Yunlin, the highest Chinese official to visit the island in nearly six decades after the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Chen and his Taiwanese counterpart Chiang Pin-kung are expected to sign agreements on direct shipping, air cargo, food safety and a postal service, and the Ma administration has guaranteed that no political issues will be placed on the agenda.
The DPP, which is planning mass demonstrations during Chen's visit, has accused Ma of backing down on sovereignty issues, an accusation he flatly rejects.
"They accused me of selling out Taiwan. But can they specify anything that can support their argument?" Ma said.
"All the accusations are abstract and blur anti-China thinkings."
Ma, of the Kuomintang, added: "As the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official title), I won't budge an inch on the sovereignty of the ROC and people's interest" while engaging Beijing.
Relations with Beijing have improved dramatically since Ma came to power earlier this year and he has worked to boost business and tourism links with China following eight years of strained relations under a DPP government.
Chen, head of China's quasi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, is expected to arrive Monday for a second round of talks.
Taipei and Beijing held the first high-level negotiations in June after a 10-year hiatus, leading to the first direct cross-Strait flights in decades.
Chen's organisation is authorised by Beijing to handle civilian exchanges with Taipei in the absence of official contacts.
China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.
- AFP/yb
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