Taiwan Strait talks to begin

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-12  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A DELEGATION headed by the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kun arrived in Beijing around 3:15pm yesterday to attend talks with the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait.

It will be the first talks between the SEF and ARATS after they resumed contact following a suspension of nine years.

ARATS Executive Vice Chairman Zheng Lizhong welcomed Chiang and other delegates at the airport. ARATS held a reception to welcome the Taiwan delegation last night.

Before leaving Taiwan, Chiang said he felt the great responsibility of the talks and would try his best to meet people's expectations and write a new chapter in history.

He expressed hope the talks between the SEF and ARATS would promote the realization of a win-win prospect and enable people on the two sides of the Strait to have better lives.

Chiang regarded the four-day trip as a new start and one of mutual trust and consultation. "The trip is aimed at the realization of peace and common prosperity of the two sides," he said. "The cross-Strait relations will not only influence economic and trade exchanges of the two sides but also is of great significance to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.''

According to the schedule agreed upon by the two sides, ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin will hold talks with Chiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse this morning. They will then hold consultations on cross-Strait weekend charted flights and mainland tourists' traveling to Taiwan.