Ma offers accolades to breakthrough meeting

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-11-7  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

TAIWAN leader Ma Ying-jeou met Chen Yunlin, chief of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, in Taipei yesterday and hailed the latest talks between the two sides.

Ma said the landmark talks between Chen and Taiwan's Strait Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung in Taiwan were significant and marked a big step in cross-Strait relations.

Ma believed the development was the wish of the people of both sides and would contribute to cross-Strait stability and prosperity.

Chen is in Taiwan for a historic five-day visit at the invitation of the SEF. His visit is the first meeting between ARATS and SEF leaders in Taiwan.

On Tuesday, Chen and Chiang signed four deals on direct shipping and flights, postal services and food safety. Professionals from the mainland and Taiwan discussed financial and economic cooperation.

Ma said the ARATS-SEF talks had been fruitful and would have a positive impact on facilitating cross-Strait personnel exchanges, boosting economic and trade ties, strengthening food safety and coping with global financial woes.

Ma said differences and challenges still remained between the mainland and Taiwan. He expressed his hope that the two sides would handle the differences with a positive attitude and maintain cooperation.

He hoped for more high-level visits between the mainland and Taiwan and for more beneficial talks between the ARATS and the SEF.

Ma and Chen exchanged gifts at the five-minute meeting, which took place in a hotel. Chen presented Ma with a painting of a galloping horse. Ma's surname means horse in the Mandarin language. Ma gave Chen a fine porcelain ornament.

Chiang and other members of the SEF were also at the brief meeting.