January 1, 1998
Premier Vincent Siew reiterates that the cross-strait discussions should resume where they were broken off, and advance step by step. SEF-ARATS functional negotiations should be resumed first, and when contacts between the two sides normalize, they will not exclude the possibility of entering into talks on other issues.
January 13, 1998
MAC Chairman Chang King-yuh says that the ROC government has a consistent policy on resuming the Koo-Wang Talks and establishing negotiations on functional and practical issues with no preconditions. The two sides should abide by the understanding that "the definition of one China should be subject to each's interpretation" in order to remove the uncertainty over advancing cross-strait economic and trade exchanges.
June 24, 1998
The Bureau of Entry and Exit, Ministry of the Interior, promulgates "Measures Governing Mainland Professionals Entering Taiwan for Professional Activities", which stipulate simple requirements that take effect on July 1 for entry applications by Mainland professionals.
July 22, 1998
ROC President Lee Teng-hui proposes "democratic unification" at the National Unification Council meeting, urging the two sides to negotiate and reach a peace treaty under the principle that China has separate jurisdictions.
August 12, 1998
MAC Chairman Chang King-yuh says that cross-strait negotiations should start with practical issues first and later move to political ones. He urges Mainland authorities to stop excessive political obstruction of cross-strait exchanges. Chang also promotes the new three direct links -- exchanges of information, culture and thoughts.
August 21, 1998
The ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs holds the Economic and Trade Affairs Task Force Meeting and decides to establish a Taiwan Businessmen's Service Window for Taiwan investors in the Mainland.
September 15, 1998
The Laws and Regulations Committee of the Ministry of the Interior adopts Revisions to Measures Governing Hong Kong and Macau People's Entry and Residence in Taiwan.
September 24, 1998
The Ministry of the Interior adopts the Revisions of Measures Governing the Approval for Mainland People to Enter Taiwan.
September 30, 1998
The Ministry of Economic Affairs set up "Service Center for Taiwan Businessmen on the Mainland", with a 24-hour service line to offer assistance.
October 22, 1998
While meeting with foreign dignitaries, President Lee Teng-hui pointed out that during the recent Koo-Wang Meeting, the ROC's position had been clearly and fully expressed. He said democracy is the only way to carry out national reforms and development, and that the ROC would be willing to use its democratic development experiences to assist the PRC's reforms.
October 26, 1998
SEF Chairman Koo Cheng-fu reports on his Mainland trip at a joint meeting of the Home and Border Affairs Committee, Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, Economics Committee, and Transportation and Communications Committee of the Legislative Yuan.
October 30, 1998
Regarding Mainland China's continuing pressure on the ROC's diplomatic space, Premier Vincent Siew says that depriving Taiwan of its international space and diplomatic status is an attempt to suffocate the ROC, which is by no means acceptable.
October 31, 1998
Lee Kuan Yew, former premier of Singapore, meets Premier Vincent Siew briefly while transiting Taiwan. Lee says the recent Koo-Wang meeting marked a breakthrough in the long-term stalemate in cross-strait relations, which deserves confirmation. Lee says he hopes to see continued exchanges like these. Siew responds that the government is sincere in using this meeting to turn a page in cross-strait relations and promote positive interaction across the strait.
November 2, 1998
The Executive Yuan holds the 1998 Mainland Affairs Working Meeting in Taipei to conduct extensive discussions under the theme of "Unfolding a New Era and Promoting Friendly Interaction" between the two sides.
November 5, 1998
The Executive Yuan adopts Revisions to Article 21 of the Statute Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the People of the Mainland Area. Mainland people who have entered Taiwan legally and have a registered residency for more than two years in Taiwan and who have lived in free areas (Taiwan included) for more than 10 years can teach in colleges pursuant to other laws.
November 20, 1998
The ROC establishes diplomatic ties with the Marshall Islands.
November 30, 1998
The MAC Council Meeting adopts revisions to Article 16 of the Statute Governing Relations between Peoples in the Taiwan Area and in the Mainland area. Direct relatives and spouses of Mainland people who used to be Taiwan people but were stranded in the Mainland from 1945 to 1949 due to military service or family visits and later resided in Taiwan are allowed to reside in Taiwan.
December 8, 1998
At the third convention of the Third National Assembly, ROC President Lee Teng-hui, after listening all the suggestions, speaks in the general session and defines the "new Taiwanism" as an identification with this piece of land, a common goal to flight for the Republic of China, and a sense of general community, regardless of the time of arrival in Taiwan, language spoken, or native province.
December 11, 1998
At the National Assembly general session on national affairs, ROC President Lee criticizes Mainland China's bullying of the ROC in the international community as "hegemony." Such a move demonstrates the PRC's lack of ethnic compassion and its violation of the prevalent principles of peaceful co-existence and equal treatment in the global village. He vows to promote pragmatic diplomacy and urges Taiwan people to join together to support the government's reforms to greet the advent of the new century and create a second Taiwan miracle.
December 15, 1998
While replying to legislator Fu Kun-chen's interpellation at the Legislative Yuan, Premier Vincent Siew says the government is very concerned about the issues of stowaways, smuggling and criminal activities arising from cross-strait exchanges. He calls on SEF and ARATS to promptly resume institutional negotiations and give priority to the joint campaign against crime.
December 16, 1998
MAC Vice Chairman Lin Chong-pin emphasizes that the ROC government's insistence that the Mainland's democratization must take place prior to unification was out of four considerations: regional stability, humanitarian considerations, legal considerations and domestic reality.
December 18, 1998
In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun of Japan, ROC President Lee Teng-hui points out that Mainland China immorally used "three-completeness policy" to completely squeeze, smash and strangle the ROC's diplomatic space. The ROC will not give up fighting for a role in the international community, and must make other countries aware of its existence instead.
December 21, 1998
At the SEF-sponsored "Seminar on Cross-strait Exchanges by Private Trade and Economic Organizations", MAC Chairman Chang King-yuh proposes three new direct links -- information, thoughts, and culture. He urges the Mainland to change its policy on cross-strait relations, which has been limited to the political sphere, expand cross-strait cultural exchanges so as to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two sides.
December 31, 1998
MAC Chairman Chang King-yuh reiterates that Mainland authorities should seriously consider cooperation proposals from the ROC government, including the establishment of a military confidence-building mechanism, joint efforts in the East-Asian financial crisis, assistance in the reform of Mainland state enterprises, and exchange of democratic experiences at the grassroots level. These programs can help the two sides to create a constructive cross-strait relationship of prosperity and reciprocity.