Chen Yunlin (R), Chairman of Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), shakes hands with Chiang Pin-kun, Chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in Beijing, China, June 12, 2008. ARATS chairman Chen Yunlin and SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kun started their talks in Beijing at around 9:00 a.m. Thursday.   (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chen Yunlin, chairman of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), accepted his Taiwan counterpart's invitation to visit the island this year.

    Chen accepted the offer during his talks with Chiang Pin-kun, chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) on Thursday. The time for Chen's visit is not specified.

Mainland, Taiwan organizations hold first talks in 9 years

    BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The chairmen of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) on Thursday convened their first talks in nine years.

    ARATS chairman Chen Yunlin and SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kun started their talks at around 9 a.m. in Beijing.  Full story