"We believe it is a pragmatic approach," the office of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said in a statement late Friday.

Ma's spokesman, Joseph Chen, also reacted positively to Wen's remarks, made when the Chinese premier was speaking to media in New York.

"It is a sign of goodwill from Beijing, evidence of the peaceful and steady development of bilateral ties and something we are glad to see," Chen told Taiwan's official Central News Agency.

According to Taiwanese media, Wen was asked for his thoughts on withdrawing the missiles, to which he answered: "I believe the issue you mention will eventually be realised."

Taiwanese experts estimate that the Chinese military has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing views the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should the island declare formal independence.

However, tensions across the Taiwan Strait have eased since President Ma took office on a Beijing-friendly platform in 2008.

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