Chen Yunlin (R Center), president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), arrives at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin arrived in Taiwan on Nov. 3 for a five-day trip. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TAIPEI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) chief Chen Yunlin arrived here on Monday to begin a five-day historic visit to Taiwan.

    Chen's visit marks the first ever meeting in Taiwan between leaders of the ARATS and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

Chen Yunlin (R Front), president of the Chinese mainland's Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), delivers a speech during the welcoming ceremony held by Chiang Pin-kung (2nd L Front), chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin arrived in Taiwan on Nov. 3 for a five-day trip.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    On Tuesday morning, Chen is expected to hold talks with SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung, the second meeting between them in less than six months.

    They are to discuss cross-Straits direct shipping, air transport, postal services, food safety and tourism, Chen said in a speech after landing at the Taoyuan International Airport.

    The two organizations would also host seminars for experts to exchange views on financial cooperation to withstand the international financial crisis, he said.

    Chen said he believed that to solve differences through consultations, to replace confrontation with cooperation, to promote interaction between ARATS and SEF and to seek win-win relations across the Straits will gain the support of the majority of the Taiwan compatriots.

    He said both the mainland and Taiwan are facing grim economic challenges given the financial crisis and slow-down in the growth of the world economy.

    "It is imperative that the two sides join to help each other to cope," he said.

    Chen also extended greetings to Taiwan people and expressed gratitude to those who made efforts to make the landmark visit possible.

    He said the meeting would mark an important step in the development of cross-Straits relations. "The step is not easy and is a crystallization of the joint efforts of many compatriots across the Straits."

    Chen said the compatriots across the Straits are one family and their interests rely on the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

    The ARATS will continue to work with the SEF with a positive and pragmatic attitude to seek common ground and satisfactory results through equal consultation, he said.

    The official talks between leaders of the ARATS and SEF will beheld on Tuesday morning. The two organizations will sign agreements in the afternoon and hold press conferences, according to the schedule.

    Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Straits exchanges. Negotiations were suspended for almost 10 years until June, when Chen and Chiang held their first meeting in Beijing.

    At a welcoming ceremony held by the SEF, Chen said that only through communications could mutual trust be enhanced and through cooperation win-win be achieved.

    He promised to make concerted efforts with SEF chairman Chiang to bring satisfactory results to the talks and make new contribution to the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties.

    He said the talks would not involve political issues. "No cross-Straits political issues will be involved, nor will the island's internal political affairs."

    Chiang said Chen's visit to Taiwan was historic as well as a key step in achieving peace and mutual economic benefit.

    He believed their talks would yield fruitful results.

    On Monday afternoon, Chen also visited the widow of Koo Chen-fu, the former SEF chairman who passed away in 2005.    

Mainland Taiwan affairs chief: Cross-Straits talks to be step-by-step 

    BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, Taiwan affairs chief of the Chinese mainland, said here on Monday that cross-Straits consultations should follow a step-by-step pattern.

    The two sides should first tackle issues that are relatively easier to solve, said Wang, director of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Full story

ARATS chief Chen Yunlin leaves for Taiwan 

Chen Yunlin (2nd R), president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), waves before heading for Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province, at the airport in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin left Beijing on Nov. 3 for Taipei for a five-day trip.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chen Yunlin, chief of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), left Beijing Monday morning for Taipei on a five-day visit. He is the first ARATS chief to visit the island.

    Chen is expected to meet with Chiang Pin-kun, chief of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). It will be the second meeting between ARATS and SEF heads in almost 10 years. The first was held in Beijing in June. Full story

ARATS chief optimistic about cross-Strait tourism

    BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin on Thursday expressed optimism about the prospect of cross-Strait tourism.

    Chen expressed belief in a group interview with Taiwan media that with concerted efforts from both mainland and Taiwan, the potential of cross-Strait tourism would be fully tapped.  Full story

SEF chairman says ARATS chief's visit to Taiwan significant

    BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chiang Pin-kung said the mainland delegation's visit to the island would be of historic significance.

    The Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president Chen Yunlin will lead a delegation to Taiwan from Nov. 3 to 7, the first meeting on the island between the two parties.  Full story

Taiwan industrial associations welcome ARATS chief's visit 

    TAIPEI, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven industrial and commercial associations in Taiwan on Tuesday voiced support and welcome for the visit of mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president Chen Yunlin.

    The associations said in a joint statement that although different parties on the island hold different opinions about Chen's visit, the associations, concerned about Taiwan's economic development, want to express support to the authority's invitation of Chen to have dialogue.   Full story

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