ARATS chief says no politics involved in talks

Source: Xinhua | 11-04-2008 08:16

TAIPEI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's chief negotiator on Taiwan affairs, Chen Yunlin, said here Monday that his upcoming talks with Taiwan representatives will not involve political issues.

"The goals of the meeting are clear and well-defined," said Chen, president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) at a welcoming ceremony held by the Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

"No cross-strait political issues will be involved, nor will the island's internal political affairs," he said.

Chen Yunlin, president of the Chinese  mainland's Association of Relations  Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), arrives at the 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/Xing Guangli)

Chen arrived in Taipei on Monday at noon, starting a five-day historic visit to the island.

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

Chen said they will discuss cross-strait direct shipping, air transport, postal services, food safety and tourism. They are also expected to exchange views on the economic impact of the international financial crisis.

The two will also make arrangements for their next meeting in 2009.

ARATS and SEF are expected to sign agreements on Tuesday afternoon and hold press conferences, according to the schedule.