BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The "three direct links" is purely an economic matter and political differences between the two sides of the Straits should not be used as a pretext for obstructing the"three direct links", according to an official document issued here Wednesday.

   The document, issued by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the StateCouncil, reiterated the mainland's basic stand and policies on the"three direct links" across the Taiwan Straits -- direct links in mail, transport and trade.

   "Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China is the common homeland of compatriots on both sides of the Straits," saysthe document. "The 'three direct links' accords with the common interests of the people across the Straits. It is the inevitable requirement of constantly expanding cross-Straits contacts and should not be hampered by any artificial or political factors."

   "We hope to realize the 'three direct links' at an early date and across the board, so as to open up a new situation for cross-Straits economic cooperation and benefit compatriots on both sidesof the Straits," says the document.

   Proceeding from this basic stand, the document reaffirms the mainland's policies and propositions concerning the "three direct links". The main points include:

   1. During the process of promoting the "three direct links," we will actively and pragmatically help promote the measures that will genuinely benefit the compatriots, people-to-people contacts,and the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides of the Straits, and, especially, benefit the Taiwan compatriots, and industrial and commercial circles and Taiwan's economic development as a whole.

   2. The "three direct links" is a cross-Straits affair and an internal affair of Chinese people on both sides of the Straits. Weresolutely oppose anyone who attempts to describe "three direct links" as links "between nations" or as "quasi-international" links, or to "internationalize" them in disguised form.

   3. Shelve political disputes and prevent political differences from affecting and interfering with the "three direct links".

   Negotiations concerning the "three direct links" are not political negotiations; they may be carried out beyond the political implications of one China, but should seek practical resolution of the various concrete problems involved, so as to accelerate the progress of the "three direct links."

   4. Direct and two-way links, reciprocity and mutual benefit, and consultation on the basis of equality.

   The "three direct links" promoted and achieved in this spirit will be the "three direct links" in the true sense of the term, and only in this way can cross-Straits economic exchange and cooperation be expanded and developed in a sustained and healthy way.

   5. Let non-governmental trade organizations on both sides of the Straits conduct consultation on the "three direct links" issue.

   To realize the "three direct links" as soon as possible, consultation may be conducted as flexibly as possible, the measures for resolution of the problem should be simple and feasible, technical problems should be to simplified, and the methods of resolving it easy and convenient.

   Given the situation caused by the Taiwan authorities, in which dialogues and consultation between the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) cannot be resumed, it may be feasible for non-governmental trade organizations on both sidesof the Straits to conduct such consultation on the "three direct links" issue.

   6. The Taiwan authorities should remove discriminatory restrictions and unreasonable obstacles directed against the mainland as soon as possible.

   The indirect, one-way and partial approach and other restrictive policies adopted by the Taiwan authorities on the "three direct links" issue have disrupted the normal order of cross-Straits trade and investment, damaged the market environment of fair competition, undermined the legal rights and interests of relevant mainland and Taiwan enterprises, the document says.

   "We hope that the Taiwan authorities will, starting from the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, take practical and effective measures for opening cross-Straits direct,two-way air and shipping services, and abolish discriminatory restrictions and unfair treatment against the mainland at an earlydate," says the document. Enditem