Communist Party of China (CPC) leader Hu Jintao said Thursday the professional associations could advance the opening of "three direct links", namely direct mail service, trade, air and shipping services, across the Taiwan Straits.

"As the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits ( ARATS) and the Strait Exchange Foundation(SEF) are unable to resume talks at present, we should actively encourage professional associations on both sides to discuss "three direct links" issues, " Hu, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said in his talk with visiting People First Party (PFP) Chairman James CY Soong from Taiwan.

Hu said discussion of issues on the opening of chartered passenger flights on major festivals and other occasions and the opening of chartered cargo flights could all follow this pattern.

He said "three direct links" serve the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Promoting the opening of direct, two-way and comprehensive "three links" is necessary to boost cross-Strait personnel and economic exchanges and realize common economic development and prosperity of both sides.

Hu said in advancing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, education, science and technology, health, culture, sports and tourism, the mainland side is ready to provide more convenience.

"We hope Taiwan authorities will remove various discriminatory restrictions on the mainland as early as possible and sincerely adopt practical measures to facilitate the early realization of direct, two-way and comprehensive 'three links' across the Taiwan Straits," said Hu.

Source: Xinhua