Chen Yunlin holds talks with Chiang Pin-kung

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-04-2008 13:52

The chairman of the Chinese mainland-based Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits, Chen Yunlin, is forging ahead with his milestone visit in Taiwan.

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)

On Tuesday morning, Chen held talks with the Chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation, Chiang Pin-kung.

This is their second meeting in less than five months.

In June, Chen Yunlin and Chiang Pin-kung, heads of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits and Straits Exchange Foundation held their talks in Beijing. The two sides signed agreements on weekend charter flights... as well as tourism that allows mainland tourists to visit Taiwan.

This time, the talks have move to Taipei to further deepen cross-Strait economic cooperation. Topics for discussion include cross-Strait shipping, air transport, postal services and food safety.

Chen Yunlin said, "This is the first time for the heads of ARATS and SEF to hold talks in Taipei since the establishment of the two organizations in the early 1990's. This meeting also marks the continued enhancement of cross-Strait relations. I believe through the joint efforts of ARATS and SEF, shipping and air transport -- as well as postal services, which compatriots across the Straits have yearned for about thirty years -- will be achieved."

Chiang Pin-kung said the two sides have made major progress in setting up direct air and sea links, marking a milestone in normalization -- in economic and trade ties.

Chiang Pin-kung said, "It's certain that we will jointly find the solutions compatriots across the Straits are anticipating to make cross-Strait transport easier and exchanges more frequent."

Chen Yunlin and Chiang Pin-kung are expected to sign deals on Tuesday afternoon.

During a preliminary meeting between the two organizations documents relating to air transport, shipping, postal services and food safety were already worked out.

An agreement will further expand the number of weekly passenger flights from 36 to 108.

First, both sides want to achieve progress on issues related to air, shipping and postal services between the mainland and Taiwan. And then, topics relating to financial cooperation across the Straits and normalization of economic ties between the two sides are expected to top the agenda during discussions between the two associations.

Editor:Zhang Ning