August 26, 2015
No. 47
The Eleventh Round of Cross-Strait High-Level Talks between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) was successfully concluded yesterday (August 25, 2015). SEF Chairman Lin Join-Sane first led the entire negotiation team to the Executive Yuan this afternoon to report the results of the talks, after which Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Andrew Hsia, accompanied by Chairman Lin and others, headed to the Executive Yuan to report to Premier Mao Chi-Kuo and also submitted the texts of the Cross-Strait Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Enhancement of Tax Cooperation and Cross-Strait Collaboration Agreement on Flight Safety and Airworthiness. Minister Hsia was also present at the press conference held by the Executive Yuan.
Minister Hsia stated that Premier Mao had praised joint efforts by Chairman Lin, SEF Vice Chairman Shih Hui-Fen, and staff of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, MAC and SEF for the successful completion of the Eleventh Round of Cross-Strait High-Level Talks and the signing of the two agreements. Premier Mao stated that this was the first round of SEF-ARATS talks to be held after the March 18 Sunflower Movement last year. Although legislation of the Cross-Strait Agreement Supervisory Act has not yet been completed, the government has, in the spirit of the Act, already carried out related tasks such as communication, national security reviews and assessments so as to assist the public in better understanding contents of the related agreements, dispel the doubts of various parties, and also gain public support. Premier Mao also expressed hopes for the two sides to implement the two agreements promptly after completing procedures. He stated that, implementation of the Cross-Strait Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Enhancement of Tax Cooperation would create a more favorable investment environment for Taiwanese enterprises and increase their competitiveness in world markets, and could further bring vitality into Taiwan?s economic development. Moreover, the signing of the Cross-Strait Collaboration Agreement on Flight Safety and Airworthiness is expected to have immense effect on flight safety and thus protect the people's security.
Minister Hsia said that the "1992 Consensus of one China, with respective interpretations" is the key to institutionalized cross-strait negotiations, exchanges and interaction. It highlights the reality of the Republic of China?s existence and serves as the foundation for the government's promotion of its Mainland policy, whereby the government has been dedicated to promoting institutionalized cross-strait negotiations in adherence to the principle of "putting Taiwan first for the benefit of the people" over the past seven-plus years. The two issues at the Eleventh Round of Cross-Strait High-Level Talks are vital to Taiwan enterprises? development competitiveness and to implementing cross-strait flight safety. During the talks, the negotiation team stood firm on Taiwan's position, pragmatically negotiated and, through persistent communication and with relentless effort, finally reached a consensus.
Regarding follow-up negotiation work, Minister Hsia stated that the establishment of SEF-ARATS reciprocal institutions, cross-strait trade in goods, dispute settlement, and environmental protection cooperation are focal issues listed for promotion in follow-up talks. The government will continue to uphold Taiwan's position, strive for the nation's best interests and actively promote negotiations on related issues upon the existing foundation. The MAC will also coordinate with relevant competent authorities to review the implementation status of previously signed cross-strait agreements and urge the Mainland towards cooperation and improvement.
Minister Hsia especially explained that the current status of cross-strait relations is the government's adherence to the cross-strait "no unification, no independence and no use of force" status quo under the ROC Constitution framework. Moreover, maintaining cross-strait peace is not only the shared responsibility of the two sides, but also the consensus and aspiration of both ruling and opposition parties and the people of Taiwan. The government will continue to uphold the established policy objectives and promotion pace, sequentially and steadily advance cross-strait exchanges, dialogues and consultations, build an environment of mutual benefit and co-prosperity in the Taiwan Strait, and establish a solid foundation for cross-strait peace and interaction.