PREMIER Wen Jiabao on Sunday called for the early realization of "three direct links" and the resumption of dialogue and negotiation between both sides of the Taiwan Straits on the basis of the 1992 consensus.

Wen made the remarks during his visit to Laos where he attended the Third Summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Answering questions, Wen said that the Chinese Government was concerned about the situation in Taiwan and, more importantly, peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits as well as peace and development on both sides of the Straits.

China has long since called for the realization of "three direct links" as soon as possible and the enhancement of economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two sides of the Straits, Wen said.

These will essentially benefit the people across the Straits who are longing for the early achievement of these goals, the earlier, the better, Wen said.

Wen reiterated his call for the early resumption of negotiation and dialogue on the basis of the 1992 consensus.

Anything can be discussed, such as the realization of the three direct links,?the enhancement of economic, trade and cultural exchanges across the Straits as well as key issues of ending the state of hostilities and reaching a peace agreement between the two sides of the Straits, he said. (Xinhua)

Direct flights for July: Ma Ying-jeou

Ma Ying-jeou, the new Taiwan leader, said Saturday that direct flights could begin in July, at a Keystone civic group function in Taichung, Taiwan Province, the Shenzhen Evening News reported yesterday.

Ma said the goal of opening direct flights with the mainland was not to encourage more Taiwanese businesspeople to invest there, but to benefit both sides of the Straits and help reduce cross-Straits hostilities.

He said that direct flights would not only be economically lucrative, they would also resolve the longstanding confrontation and hostilities between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.