Noted Beijing-based scholars and experts on the Taiwan issue said on Thursday that the reunification of the motherland should have a timetable, and it's up to the Taiwan people to set it, Xinhua News Agency reported.

At a press conference held on Thursday by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, scholars and experts of Taiwan affairs fielded questions regarding the current situation in Taiwan and cross-Straits relations.

Li Jiaquan, executive director of the Taiwan Studies Society, said that there should be a timetable for the settlement of the Taiwan issue and the motherland's reunification, and the Taiwan issue should not be dragged on indefinitely.

The Taiwan side is responsible for the current tension in cross-Straits relations, he said.

The independent forces in Taiwan have developed to a point that they are likely to come to power, therefore the issue can't go on forever, he noted.

If the Taiwan side sincerely desires peace, the two sides can sit down for reunification talks, the scholar said.

However, if the Taiwan authorities decide to seek independence, continue to stall on the matter and refuse reunification with the motherland, then the initiative of setting a timetable will no longer rest with Taiwan, he noted.

Prof. Huang Jiashu from the Chinese People's University said that the mainland has said time and again that any subject can be discussed under the one-China principle, including the time and means of reunification.

If the Taiwan authorities have the will to negotiate peaceful reunification with the mainland, then the time of reunification can be discussed, the professor said.

However, if the Taiwan authorities refuse negotiations, constantly advocate separatism, and engage in Taiwan independence activities, then there will be no room for discussion on the timing of reunification, the professor stressed.

Researcher Xin Qi from the Peace and Development Studies Center here agreed that if the Taiwan side refuses to negotiate and moves further down the road of separation, then it will be time for non-peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue.

Prof. Xu Bodong from the Beijing United University stressed that the timetable of reunification lies with both the mainland, the leaders of Taiwan and particularly the people of Taiwan.

The professor expressed the sincere hope that the people of Taiwan will make the right choice.