Mainland, Taiwan discuss offices on either side

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland and Taiwan held discussions in late August on establishing offices on each other's side, the mainland side said on Thursday.

The mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and its Taiwan counterpart Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) exchanged views on the text of agreement, code of conduct and ensuring convenience for each other, said the ARATS.

Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Straits affairs.

The ARATS said the establishment of offices on each other's side should be facilitated as it can further promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and provide convenience to people of the two sides.

However, considering the current situation of the cross-Straits relations, the two sides should start with easy things, appropriately handle sensitive issues and reach consensus on issues that can be solved at the present stage step by step, so as to create conditions for the establishment of offices, said the ARATS.