TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou told Chen Yunlin, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (Arats), Beijing should give Taipei more Lebensraum to maneouvre in international relations. In a seven-minute meeting at the Taipei Guest House, Ma reiterated his three-point China policy of "no independence", "no unification" and "no war" across the strait.

"In as much as our security and international Lebensraum are concerned," Ma said, "the two sides of the strait should face the reality, shouldn't negate each other, should promote the well-being of the people, should proactively deal with disputes by peaceful means, and should expand bilateral cooperation."

Ma said Chen signed four agreements with PK Chiang, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), on shortened air routes, direct maritime shipping, better mail service and food safety.

They also exchanged views on financial and banking cooperation to cope with the impending economic crisis.

The Chen-Chiang meeting, Ma said, "is of great significance".

"It marks a great step forward in relations between the two sides of the strait, and I believe they have not only lived up to the expectations of the people on both sides, but have also made great contributions to the stability and prosperity of the two sides," President Ma pointed out.

The president said he hopes more "people on a high echelon" will exchange personal visits in the future.

After a brief speech, Ma exchanged gifts with Chen. He presented a ceramic flower vase decorated with orchid flowers to the Arats chairman, who gave a Chinese brush-painting of a horse in return. The family name of Ma means 'horse'.

The form of address posed little problem. An announcer from the Office of the President introduced Ma as 'President Ma', while he called Chen 'Chairman Chen'. Arats is a private, non-profit organisation like the SEF, though they are charged with conducting relations between Taiwan and China. Chen, on the other hand, used 'Nin', a more reverent version of 'Ni' or 'you' when he addressed Ma.

The Arats chairman called off a scheduled press conference after his meeting with President Ma. (The China Post/ ANN)