Premier Wen Jiabao's press conference on Friday has drawn positive comments in Taiwan, making the headlines in Saturday's local newspapers and leading to a rise in the stock market.

Mainstream newspapers on the island hailed Wen's remarks of "Even if I can no longer walk, I will crawl to Taiwan" as a big goodwill sign from the mainland toward improving cross-straits relations.

The China Times, besides devoting its front page to the press conference, ran an op-ed piece saying that the premier gave an amazing answer to the Taiwan-related question.

The article said Wen used ordinary language in his speech to stay close to ordinary Chinese people, which sounded sincere and showed greater confidence from the leader.

The United Daily News also widely covered the press conference, saying that Wen's remark that "We can launch new economic stimulus policies at any time" demonstrates confidence and hope.

Zhang Wuyue, director of the institute of mainland studies in Taiwan's Tamkang University, told Xinhua that the premier's words would have positive influences on cross-straits relations and help them toward peaceful development.

A senior staffer at a Taiwan investment company said that the premier's warm remarks have prompted the surge of stocks that were originally facing pressure to fall.

Taiwan's benchmark weighted index rose by 142.74 points, or 3 percent, to close at 4, 897.39 on Friday, the highest since November. Tourism shares surged by an overall 6.3 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2009)