Backgrounder: Key talks between ARATS and SEF

Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin (L) shakes hands with the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (R) during their talks in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 4, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

      TAIPEI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The heads of the two main negotiating bodies of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan sat down together in Taipei on Tuesday morning for their first ever summit in Taiwan.

    The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president, Chen Yunlin, and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman, Chiang Pin-kung, began talks in Taipei.

    Chen thanked Taiwan people for their understanding and support for the meeting, which he said was a milestone for the positive development of the cross-strait relationship.

    "We feel relieved and honored to help the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship and promote the mutual benefits of the compatriots on both sides of the strait," Chen said.

    Chen said that once progress had been made on direct flights, shipping and postal services between the mainland and Taiwan, the ARATS and SEF would discuss financial cooperation and the normalization of economic ties.

    He said food safety would also be discussed during the talks.

    "We will try our best to meet the demands and requirements of the Taiwan people and try to reach agreements on the basis of mutual benefits and reciprocity," Chen said.

    He said the ARATS and SEF would discuss means to increase the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan, and set agenda for meetings and talks between the two organizations in the next stage.

    He said the mainland was considering a plan to allow residents across the country to travel to Taiwan.

    Since July 20, residents in the municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai and the provinces of Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong, Chongqing, Yunnan and Shaanxi have been allowed to visit Taiwan in groups, under an agreement between the mainland and Taiwan.

    Chen said tourism companies on both sides suggested that tourist groups traveling to Taiwan should be composed of at least five people, while the current rule was a minimum of 10.

    He said the ARATS agreed with the suggestion, and hoped that with more chartered flights on week days, the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan could increase.

    "We believe that with the efforts of both sides, direct links for transport and mail services that compatriots on both sides have been longing for over the past 30 years will become a reality," Chen said.

    This would open a more convenient channel for cross-strait exchanges and economic cooperation and benefit people on both sides.

    In June, the ARATS and the SEF held talks in Beijing and signed two agreements, almost 10 years after the suspension of talks.

ARATS, SEF to sign agreements on 4 issues

    TAIPEI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) --The heads of the two main negotiating bodies from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan agreed on issues concerning direct sea transport, increased chartered flights, direct post service and food safety cooperation during their first ever meeting in Taipei on Tuesday morning.   Full story

Chief negotiator: Agreement on "three direct links" relief to late Taiwan tycoon

    TAIPEI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's chief negotiator for the mainland-Taiwan relations said here that agreements which are expected to be signed Tuesday afternoon would realize what the late Taiwan tycoon Wang Yung-ching hoped for the three direct links of post, trade and transport services.  Full story

ARATS chief arrives in Taiwan, starts milestone trip 

Chen Yunlin (2nd L), president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), toasts with Chiang Pin-kung (2nd R), chairman of Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), at a welcoming banquet in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin arrived in Taiwan on Nov. 3 for a five-day visit. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) 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 milestone visit to Taiwan.

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

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

[1] [2] [3] [4]