Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian Monday condemned China's continued deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan and called on the two sides to put aside differences and work towards achieving full relations. In a speech to the parliament of the Solomon Islands, Chen blasted China for having deployed 706 missiles on its southeast coast, with the number increasing by 120 missiles each year. "Taiwan still lives under the shadow of China's military threat, so Taiwan's aspiration for peace is more urgent than that of any Pacific nations," Chen said, in the address released by the Presidential Office in Taipei. "Taiwan, under my leadership, is a loyal defender of international order and regional peace, and is seeking to establish a framework for cross-Strait peace and stability. We hope that with the help of the international community, we can achieve the normalization of relations between Taiwan and China," he said. Chen's call for peace comes two days after Taiwan and China launched historic passenger charter flights to bring home Taiwan businessmen for the Chinese New Year holiday, which begins February 9. The Times Daily reported Monday that Taiwan was also considering launching cargo charter flights with China to further ease cross-Strait tension. "After launching passenger charter flights for the Chinese New Year, authorities plan to launch passenger charter flights for the next festival, the Dragon Boat Festival. After that, they may allow cargo charter flights shortly afterwards," the Times quoted Hu Sheng-cheng, chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, as saying. "Cargo charter flights can cut the cost of Taiwan's exports to China. It is particularly important for Taiwan's export of electronics products to China, which totals 20 billion U.S. dollars each year," he said. "However, it is up to the Mainland Affairs Council to decide when to launch cargo charter flights." The Dragon Boat Festival is held on July 11. --more 1040 Local Time 0740 GMT
