Taiwan calls for renewed talks with China

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen yesterday called for a resumption of talks with China and pledged that "anything" can be on the table for discussion.

Relations with Beijing have deteriorated under Taiwan's first female president, whose China-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in May after a landslide victory over the Kuomintang party (KMT).

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Tsai has refused to accept the concept of "one China", prompting Beijing to cut off all official communication with the island's new government.

China sees self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory requiring reunification.

In a speech marking Taiwan's National Day, Tsai urged both sides to "set aside the baggage of history and engage in positive dialogue".

"The two sides of the strait should sit down and talk as soon as possible. Anything can be included for discussion," Tsai said.

While Tsai said she did not want Taiwan and China to go down "the old path of confrontation", her government would not "bow to pressure" from Beijing.

"Leaders on both sides should jointly show wisdom and flexibility and a calm attitude to resolve the existing differences between the two sides," Tsai said.

Taipei has accused Beijing of pressuring a number of countries, including Armenia and Kenya, to deport Taiwanese fraud suspects to China rather than their home territory.