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Taiwan chief negotiator in Nanjing for cross-Straits talks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-25 14:04

Taiwan's chief negotiator on cross-straits relations Chiang Pin-kung arrived here Saturday morning for a new round of talks.

Chiang, chairman of the island's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), is scheduled to hold talks with the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin on Sunday.

Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin (L) shakes hands with Chairman of the island's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chiang Pin-kung in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, April 25, 2009. Chiang Pin-kung arrived here Saturday for the third round of cross-straits talks.  [Xinhua] More photos

At a welcoming ceremony in honor of Chiang, Chen said the upcoming talks, the third round between them in less than a year, would focus on regular cross-straits flights, joint efforts on cracking down on crime and financial cooperation. They will also exchange views on mainland investment on the island.

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The current global financial crisis was exerting an enormous negative impact on both the mainland and Taiwan economies, Chen said, urging people on both sides to show more support and understanding to each other, and work together to weather through the difficulties.

The two sides have signed six agreements since last June on weekend charter flights, tourism, direct shipping, air transport, postal services and food safety.

Chen said compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits have felt the benefits and convenience brought by the implementation of the agreements.

He expressed belief that the new talks would be a complete success under joint efforts.

Chiang said the six agreements had benefited people on both sides and broadened the foundation for companies across the straits to enhance competitiveness.

He expected Sunday's talks to further broaden the basis for the normalization of cross-straits economic ties, and lay a solid foundation for the peaceful development of ties.

Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF were authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-straits exchanges.

The two organizations agreed to meet twice a year on the mainland and Taiwan alternately after negotiations resumed last June following almost 10 years of suspension.