Chinese mainland's chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs Chen Yunlin said Thursday that complicated historical problems across the Taiwan Straits could well be resolved through mutual trust.

Chen, president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), told a banquet, held in the island's landmark Grand Hotel, that problems could be settled as long as the two sides made concerted efforts with "kindness and wisdom" to create conditions and firstly solve economic and livelihood problems closely linked with public interests.

Chen was grateful for the considerate arrangement and warm and friendly service on the part of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) over the past four days.

He was on a five-day visit to the island starting Monday for economic talks with the SEF, which was the first meeting held in the island between the ARATS and the SEF. The two signed historical deals concerning direct shipping, flights and postal services.

"I've a strong feeling that the Taiwan public have paid great attention to consultations of the two organizations, and they play great hope that cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation can deepen in order to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win situation," Chen said in his address.

He said there was a great relief that they did not make the public feel disappointed and the great attention and expectation on the consultations would greatly boost cross-Straits talks.

Chen pointed out that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations was in line with the interests of the Taiwan compatriot and was a right direction of history. "We have taken the first step, and will firmly move on with steadier steps."

"We understand the unusual experience the Taiwan compatriots went through over the past century and we know there are different views on the island about cross-Straits relations. It requires us to negotiate and solve them through sincerity and patience," he said.

SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung said at the banquet that in more than half a year after the two organizations resumed consultations, great achievements had been made. He expected an extensive cooperation and exchanges across the Straits to benefit people on both sides.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2008)