Eighth Chiang-Chen Talks to be held in Taipei on August 8 and 9The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) states today (August 1, 2012) that it and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) have agreed to hold the Eighth Chiang-Chen Talks on August 8 and 9 in Taipei City. They expect to sign the Cross-Strait Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and the Cross-Strait Customs Cooperation Agreement.
The SEF indicates that, after intensive contacts and consultations with the ARATS, the two sides have decided to hold the Eighth Chiang-Chen Talks on August 8 and 9 in Taipei City. ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin will lead a delegation to Taiwan for high-level talks with SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung and members of the Taiwan delegation.
The two sides are actively carrying out preparation works for signing the Cross-Strait Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and the Cross-Strait Customs Cooperation Agreement. They have also started making detailed plans and preparations for the Talks.
According to the planning, ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin will arrive in Taiwan with the delegation on the morning of August 8. In the afternoon, the SEF and the ARATS will hold vice-chairman-level preparatory discussions and arrange visits for Chairman Chen and his wife. The Eighth Chiang-Chen Talks will be held on the morning of August 9. In the afternoon, the two sides will proceed with an agreement signing ceremony and call separate press conferences. Later on, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Lai Shin-yuan will meet with Chairman Chen and the ARATS delegation.
The SEF and the ARATS have held seven talks and signed 16 agreements since June 2008. The agreements effectively guarantee the rights and interests of the people on both sides, consolidate the foundation for peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait, and enable Taiwan to participate in regional economic integration.