Chiang, chairman of the island's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), is scheduled to hold talks with the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin on Sunday.

He said the Sunday talk will create cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan.

Soundbite: Chiang Pin-kung , chairman of the island's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) "The talk will cover three parts. The first is to cover 6 previous agreements. We'll discuss and make improvements. Second, we'll exchange opinions on the three agreements which will be signed this time and issues about mainland investment in Taiwan.Last,we'll discuss issues for the fourth talk in Taiwan later this year."

At a welcoming ceremony in honor of Chiang, Chen said the upcoming talks would focus on regular cross-straits flights, joint efforts on cracking down on crime and financial cooperation. They will also exchange views on mainland investment on the island.

Chen said the global financial crisis was exerting an enormous negative impact on both the mainland and Taiwan economies. He urged people on both sides to show more support and understanding to each other, and work together to weather the difficulties.

The two sides have signed six agreements since last June on weekend charter flights, tourism, direct shipping, air transport, postal services and food safety.

Chiang said the six agreements had benefited people on both sides and broadened the foundation for companies across the straits to enhance competitiveness.

Chen expected Sunday's talks to further broaden cross-straits economic ties, and lay a solid foundation for the peaceful development of diplomatic ties.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanjing.

(XHTV April 26, 2009)