High prospects for cross-Straits service trade pact

According to Zheng, the mainland has tried to consider the needs of Taiwan and made reasonable arrangements under the principle of mutual understanding and benefit during preliminary negotiations on the service trade agreement.

Zheng also praised the "important endeavors to increase mutual political trust by the two sides across the Taiwan Straits not long ago," saying it has laid a solid groundwork for the talks between the ARATS and SEF.

These talks are people-oriented and have won popular support from the public on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, the senior negotiator said.

Founded in 1991 and 1990, respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Straits affairs.

Friday's talks will be the first of their kind since the two sides' newly-elected leaders took office. Chen Deming became ARATS president in April 2013, while Lin Join-sane was elected the SEF's chairman in September 2012.

Friday will also mark the ninth round of talks between the two sides since the SEF and ARATS resumed talks in June 2008 after a nine-year suspension.

By replacing confrontation with negotiation in developing cross-Straits relations, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have set an example in world history and won recognition from the international community, Kao said.

Economic and trade cooperation not only conforms to the needs of developing cross-Straits relations, but also creates common benefits for people on both sides, he added.