The offerings, in addition to a pair of giant pandas, were made by Beijing as a gesture of goodwill at the end of a landmark visit by Taiwan Kuomingtang (KMT) leader Lien Chan on Tuesday, the article said.

However analysts said it is up to the Taiwan authorities headed by independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party leader and Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian whether the offerings will be accepted and implemented.

On Tuesday, Chen Shui-bian invited China's President Hu Jintao to visit the island, saying it would help clear misunderstandings.

China's new law targets Taiwan

"We feel that their gift of giant pandas is partly to further their political goal of re-unification," said DPP member Jao Yung-ching at a news conference in Taiwan.

There are currently many restrictions on mainlanders going to Taiwan -- not just from the mainland side, said China Daily. Ordinary citizens cannot go as tourists to the island as they need invitations from Taiwan groups, such as professional delegations or academic institutions.

"Tourism administration and all relevant parties on the mainland welcome organizations from Taiwan's tourism industry to start consultations with us on an earlier date in order to make detailed arrangements accordingly," Chen Yunlin, head of CPC Central Committee's Taiwan Affairs Office, was quoted as saying.

Lien is the first chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), to set foot on the mainland since 1949. He has left Shanghai for Taipei on Tuesday after a historical week-long trip in which he also visited Nanjing, Beijing and Xi'an, China Daily said.

Hu meets Taiwan Oppn leader

The fruit tariff exemption could help the KMT win supporters in southern Taiwan, a mainly agricultural region, eroding the support base of Chen Shui-bian, who is reviled by the mainlanders and overseas Chinese community for his pro-independence stance, the article said.

"The mainland is ready to provide convenience in terms of customs pass, inspection and quarantine for Taiwan fruits to access the mainland market," Chen Yunlin said.

The biggest obstacle to the sale of Taiwan's farm produce on the mainland was the absence of direct flights. Beijing has been pushing for Taipei to end a decades-old ban on direct trade, transport and mail links -- known as the "three links" -- between the Taiwan and the mainland.

China-Taiwan direct flight 

Lien's visit, and one starting later this week by James Soong, head of Taiwan's People First Party (PFP), "helped deepen the affection between Chinese compatriots on the two sides of the Straits", Chen Yunlin said.

"We hope the pandas, with their tame nature, air of nobleness and cuddly looks will bring joy and laughter to the Taiwan compatriots, children in particular," he said.

"If Taiwan keeps a closed mentality, we are quite likely to suffer serious negative impact," he said. It is believed that up to a million Taiwan businesspeople and their relatives live on the mainland.

Taiwan readies for Chinese strike

According to China Daily, Lien said that as part of the peace agreement, the two sides ought to set up a system of military confidence-building measures.

"Oral arrangements are not enough," he said. "It's important to establish a system to ensure mutual military trust."