Quotable

"A cross-Straits leaders' meeting is an affair between Chinese people on the two sides of the Straits. It will not necessarily be on the sidelines of an international meeting."

Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can arrange meetings between their leaders independently, rather than piggy-backing on international occasions. Fan was responding to a question on whether Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou should attend the informal economic leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum next year in Beijing, to realize a meeting between leaders across the Straits."We have long endorsed meetings between leaders across the Straits and will remain positive and open to any move that benefits peace and relations across the Straits," Fan said.