Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejected President Hu Jintao's offer of fresh talks and trade concessions as "poison coated with sugar" intended to undermine the island's leadership. Hu called for a resumption of talks on the basis of the "One China principle" and unveiled the economic package at a series of events, including a television address and a cross-strait forum, featuring himself alongside Lien Chan, former head of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party. The trade concessions would see a rise in fruit and vegetable exports from Taiwan to the mainland. DPP parliamentary whip Chen Ching-chun claimed Hu's references to "one China" were an attempt at "relegating [Taiwan] into a local government." Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said China is not sincere in its overtures of peace and is actually "stepping up its military preparations against Taiwan."
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