The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) director met the visiting
Kuomintang (KMT) delegation in Beijing on Wednesday evening to
discuss cross-Straits economic exchange and cooperation.
Chen Yunlin told them that the mainland's efforts to promote
economic ties were in the interest of compatriots on both sides of
the Straits, and called their sustained development "an important
factor for peace and stability in the region."
He urged the people of Taiwan and the mainland to join hands in
creating a bright future for the improvement and development of
cross-Straits relations.
Chiang Pin-kung, the KMT vice president, agreed that better
economic ties could be helpful for easing tensions, resolving
outstanding issues, meeting the aspirations of people on both
sides, and enhancing Taiwan's economy.
He said that all involved should take a pragmatic approach in
strengthening economic and trade relations and people-to-people
exchange.
A wide range of issues were discussed, including regularization
of direct air flights, sale of Taiwan's farm produce on the
mainland, mainland labor exports to Taiwan's fishing industry,
service sector cooperation, and protection of the interests of
Taiwan investors.
They also talked about ways to encourage exchange, establish
permanent news correspondents, equalize school fees for students
from both sides of the Straits, and open up Taiwan as a destination
for mainland tourists.
The TAO urged Taiwan's authorities to lift restrictions on
cross-Straits economic, trade and cultural exchange and the
exchange of personnel, so as to promote relations.
The TAO is an organ of the central committee of the Communist
Party of China (CPC), and the delegation of the KMT, or Nationalist
Party of China, is the first to visit the mainland in 56
years.
Also present at the meeting were TAO Deputy Director Li Bingcai and
representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of
Commerce, General Administration of Customs, State Administration
for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine, and General
Administration of Civil Aviation.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2005)
