ARATS chief arrives in Taiwan on historic visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-03 13:40

TAIPEI -- The Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) chief Chen Yunlin arrived in Taipei on Monday at the start of a five-day historic visit to Taiwan.

Chen Yunlin (R), head of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), and his wife Lai Xiaohua walks down the stairs after arriving at the Taoyuan Airport in Taipei, November 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

Chen's visit marks the first ever meeting between leaders of the ARATS and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in Taiwan.

"The development of cross-strait relations is facing rare historic opportunities," Chen said in a written speech after landing at the Taoyuan International Airport.

He said further negotiations to improve cross-strait personnel and economic exchanges were the top priority.

He said both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are facing grim economic challenges given the financial crisis and slow-down of the world economy.

"It is imperative that the two sides join to help each other to cope," he said.

On Tuesday morning, Chen is expected to hold talks with SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung, the second meeting between them in less than six months.

Chen said they would discuss and sign agreements on cross-strait direct shipping, air transport, postal services, food safety and tourism.

The two organizations would host seminars for experts to exchange views on financial cooperation to withstand the international financial crisis, he said.

Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-strait civilian exchanges. Negotiations were suspended for almost 10 years till June, when Chen and Chiang held their first meeting in Beijing.