Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has called for a ban on the use of weapons of mass destruction across the Taiwan Strait.

Mr. Chen said Wednesday that Taiwan is willing to guarantee that it will not use such weapons, and called on China to do the same.

Mr. Chen also made a new appeal to China to hold talks with the island, saying the two sides should work together to create a code of conduct across the strait.

China has rejected past overtures made by Mr. Chen, and has refused to speak with the Taiwanese leader until he agrees that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

China has threatened to seize Taiwan by force if it makes moves toward independence.