Jozef Cardinal Tomko, who arrived here Nov. 18, was in Taiwan to attend the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the evangelization of Taiwan during his weeklong stay.

The president said that in addition to cross-strait cultural and trade exchanges, the two sides could also develop exchanges in religious areas.

He said that in response to the Pontiff's message for World Peace Day, he has started to improve cross-strait relations and pursue peace with China since his inauguration in May 2008.

Over the past year and a half, cross-strait tension has eased, Ma said, expressing the hope that cross-strait peace will continue so that people on both sides could prosper in a peaceful environment.

Ma also pointed out the contribution of Catholicism on the 150th anniversary of the evangelization in Taiwan.

Over the past 150 years, Catholics have built 724 churches with 300,000 parishioners, five colleges and universities, 29 high schools and 11 elementary schools, 166 nursing schools and numerous social welfare and medical institutions in Taiwan.

The Republic of China has maintained friendly ties with the Vatican since both sides established diplomatic relations in 1942, he said. In the wake of Typhoon Morakot, which devastated many mountainous parts in southern Taiwan, the Vatican also helped with flood relief and made donations, he added. Based on the historical and close relations, Ma expressed the hope that both sides could strengthen cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

(By Li Shu-hua and Lilian Wu)