Chen Yunlin, chief of mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), delivers a speech at a return banquet in Taipei on Nov. 6, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TAIPEI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mainland's chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs Chen Yunlin said Thursday that complicated historical problems across the Taiwan Strait could well be resolved through mutual trust.

    Chen, president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), told a banquet, held in the island's landmark Grand Hotel, that problems could be settled as long as the two sides made concerted efforts with "kindness and wisdom" to create conditions and firstly solve economic and livelihood problems closely linked with public interests.

    Chen was grateful for the considerate arrangement and warm and friendly service on the part of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) over the past four days.

    He was on a five-day visit to the island starting Monday for economic talks with the SEF, which was the first meeting held in the island between the ARATS and the SEF. The two signed historical deals concerning direct shipping, flights and postal services.

Chen Yunlin, chief of mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), delivers a speech at a return banquet in Taipei on Nov. 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I've a strong feeling that the Taiwan public have paid great attention to consultations of the two organizations, and they play great hope that cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation can deepen in order to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win situation," Chen said in his address.

    He said there was a great relief that they did not make the public feel disappointed and the great attention and expectation on the consultations would greatly boost cross-Strait talks.

    Chen pointed out that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations was in line with the interests of the Taiwan compatriot and was a right direction of history. "We have taken the first step, and will firmly move on with steadier steps."

    "We understand the unusual experience the Taiwan compatriots went through over the past century and we know there are different views on the island about cross-Strait relations. It requires us to negotiate and solve them through sincerity and patience," he said.

    SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung said at the banquet that in more than half a year after the two organizations resumed consultations, great achievements had been made. He expected an extensive cooperation and exchanges across the Strait to benefit people on both sides.

Chen Yunlin (2nd L), chief of mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), and Zheng Lizhong (1st L), vice chairman of ARATS, present gift to Taiwan business representatives at the luncheon held by the industrial and commercial circles of Taiwan in Taipei on Nov. 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou meets ARATS chief

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou (R) meets with chief of mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Chen Yunlin in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Nov. 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TAIPEI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou met with chief of mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chen Yunlin in Taipei at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.

    Ma said during the meeting that the landmark talks between Chen and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman Chiang Pin-kung in Taiwan were significant and marked a big step in cross-strait relations.  Full story

Chinese mainland offers pandas, rare plants to Taiwan

    TAIPEI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs said here Thursday morning that the giant panda pair that mainland promised to donate to Taiwan in 2005 will soon arrive in the island.

    "After completing relevant procedures, the panda pair, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan will, arrive in Taiwan and be housed at the Taipei Mucha Zoo," said Chen, president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). Full story

Chen-Chiang talks open new era for cross-Strait ties

    BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Experts from across the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday hailed the agreements signed and the talks between the heads of the two main negotiating bodies of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, saying they opened a new era in cross-Strait ties.

    During Tuesday's talks between 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, four agreements were signed on food safety, direct shipping and flights, and mail services.  Full story

Mainland, Taiwan agree on direct cross-Straits transport, mail

Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin (front L) shakes hands with the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (front R) after signing four agreements on direct sea transport, direct flights, post service and food safety cooperation in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Photo Gallery>>>

    TAIPEI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and Taiwan agreed on Tuesday to allow civilian planes and ships to directly cross the Taiwan Straits.

    The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president, Chen Yunlin, and Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman, Chiang Pin-kung, signed agreements on direct shipping and flights, postal services and food safety during their first summit in Taipei on Tuesday.  Full story

ARATS, SEF chiefs hold talks in Taipei 

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. 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

Taiwan's mainland affairs chief: Chiang-Chen talks "fruitful"

    TAIPEI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's mainland affairs chief Lai Shin-yuan said on Tuesday that the talks between the heads of the two main negotiating bodies of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have been "fruitful."

    Tuesday's talks between 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, were "smooth and fruitful" with four agreements signed on food safety, direct shipping and flights, and mail services, she said when meeting with Chen here.   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