Yesterday in Taipei, Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) and People First Party (PFP) held their first ever talks on the possibility of a merger between the two parties, according to Xinhua News Agency today.

Interest in a merger was reignited after the local elections in Taiwan on December 3, in which KMT candidates won 14 of 23 mayoral positions.

A five-member PFP team held the closed-door meeting with KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou and other senior KMT officials.

The talks are merely a preparatory meeting for an upcoming summit, said a KMT spokesperson.

There are still many issues that could hinder a possible merger, such as the future position of PFP Chairman James Soong, according to local media.

The chairmen of both parties are scheduled to meet on December 12.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)