Taiwan's Ma says might invite Chinese leaders to visit

TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou said he might consider inviting Chinese leaders to visit the island but the timing is not right now despite warming ties.

"From a long-term perspective we probably can't rule out the possibility but at present the timing is not mature," Ma was quoted in a statement issued by his office late on Thursday.

Mr Ma made the comments in an interview with the Hong Kong-based weekly Yazhou Zhoukan on Thursday when China's ruling Communist Party's five-yearly congress was in session.

He said one of the obstacles to exchanging visits was that China would be unlikely to refer to visiting Taiwanese officials by their proper titles, reflecting the fact that Beijing does not recognise the Taipei government.