TAIPEI : Taiwan's president-elect Ma Ying-jeou says he hopes to restart talks on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore soon.

He said negotiations for an FTA were launched in 2000, but this was derailed by pressure from Beijing, amidst the Democratic Progressive Party's insistence on signing the agreement in the name of Taiwan.

Mr Ma said: "I certainly hope we can resume the negotiations because we are ready to negotiate ... with Singapore under the name we use in WTO, if that is acceptable with Singapore."

He added that 15 years ago when he was Justice Minister, he had already admired Singapore's determination to have a clean and corruption-free government.

Mr Ma said: "I have obtained the impression which has been the fundamental or core value of Singapore that the leaders' political will is the decisive factor to keep a government clean. I think this is something we should learn." - CNA/de