TAIPEI - Taipei city government is pushing to hold regular talks with Hong Kong and Shanghai in a fresh sign of warming relations between Taiwan and China, a Taipei official said Monday.

The three cities could step-up financial cooperation to cope with problems stemming from the global financial meltdown, the official told AFP, and also consider ties on other issues such as transport and the environment.

"Both Taipei and Hong Kong have voiced interest in setting up such a dialogue platform," said Emile Sheng, chairman of Taipei city government's Research Development and Evaluation Commission.

"Hopefully, the three-way dialogue could be realised next year." The city also hopes direct flights could be opened between Taipei and Hong Kong and Shanghai, Sheng added. Direct flights are currently available only from Taiwan's northern Taoyuan airport.

Last week, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin visited Hong Kong and met Chief Executive Donald Tsang to discuss reopening bilateral talks that were suspended in 2001.

Taipei is due to hold similar talks with Shanghai later this year.