January 21, 1993
The ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes public the White Paper on ROC Foreign Policy. It stipulates that the ROC's foreign policy is one-China, two entities, and equality at the interim. The policy paper says that the government will pursue an international space, with a long-term goal of returning to the United Nations and the eventual goal of China's unification.
March 2, 1993
In a letter to SEF, ARATS suggests holding the "Koo-Wang Talks" in late March or early April. ARATS says that both sides have reached a consensus to arrange a preparatory meeting for the "Koo-Wang Talks." ARATS proposes to hold the preparatory meeting in Beijing, Taipei, Kinmen, or another appropriate place on the Mainland, and hopes SEF can decide the place and time for the preparatory meeting at an early date.
March 4, 1993
Responding to ARATS, SEF says that it has been working on the arrangements for the "Koo-Wang Talks" and that it will settle the details for the preparatory meeting after a personnel reshuffle is carried out.
March 9, 1993
MAC Vice Chairman Kao Koong-lian says that the "Koo-Wang Talks" scheduled in early April will cover four issues -- SEF-ARATS affairs, cross-strait economic and trade exchanges, cultural exchanges, and a joint combat against crime. The protection of Taiwanese investment might be added to the agenda.
March 12, 1993
After Cheyne Chiu assumed the post of vice chairman and secretary-general of SEF, ARATS Vice Chairman Tang Shubei writes to congratulate Chiu on assuming the position and invite him to visit Beijing.
March 18, 1993
MAC publishes the "Koo-Wang Talks Background Report," defining the talks as practical and functional, with no political issues involved.
March 25-27, 1993
Shi Hwei-yow, director of the SEF Department of Legal Services, leads a six-member delegation to visit Beijing. The delegation meets with ARATS to discuss certificate verification and inquiry for registered mail for the third time. The two sides reach a consensus on March 27.
March 31, 1993
In a letter to ARATS, SEF says that Vice Chairman and Secretary-general Cheyne Chiu will visit Beijing April 7-11 at the invitation of ARATS and that it will hold the preparatory meeting for the "Koo-Wang Talks." SEF says the two sides may sign a draft agreement on certificate verification and inquiry and compensation for registered mail.
April 7-11, 1993
SEF Vice Chairman and Secretary-general Cheyne Chiu meets Tang Shubei, vice chairman of ARATS, in Beijing for the first preparatory meeting for the "Koo-Wang Talks," in which the two first presented their respective agendas. After comprehensive discussions, the two sides adopt an agenda of eight subjects for further discussion and decide to hold the "Koo-Wang Talks" in Singapore on April 27-28.
April 8, 1993
The first preparatory meeting for the Koo-Wang Talks is held in Beijing, and the two sides agree on the establishment of institutionalized communication channels.
April 10, 1993
SEF Vice Chairman Cheyne Chiu meets with his counterpart, Tang Shubei, vice-chairman of ARATS, in Beijing. The two sign the draft of "Agreement on the Use and Verification of Certificates of Authentication Across the Taiwan Straits," and the "Agreement on Matters Concerning Inquiry and Compensation for [Lost] Registered Mail Across the Taiwan Straits." They also reach a written agreement on having Koo-Wang talks in Singapore on April 27 and 28.
April 23, 1993
SEF Vice Chairman Cheyne Chiu and ARATS Vice Chairman Tang Shubei have two preparatory meetings for the Koo-Wang Talks in Singapore and set the agenda for the upcoming talks. On the agenda are the systems for contacts and meetings between SEF and ARATS, protection of intellectual property rights, cross-strait economic exchanges, judicial cooperation, and the protection of Taiwan businessmen.
April 27, 1993
The Koo-Wang Talks last for three days in Singapore. SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu and ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan, representing the two sides, sign the following four agreements: 1. Agreement on the Use and Verification of Certificates of Authentication Across the Taiwan Straits. 2. The Agreement on Matters Concerning Inquiry and Compensation for [Lost] Registered Mail Across the Taiwan Straits. 3. Agreement on the System for Contacts and Meetings between SEF and ARATS. 4. Joint Agreement of the Koo-Wang Talks.
August 29, 1993
The first meeting on functional issues after the Koo-Wang Talks is held in Beijing. The two sides discuss issues on repatriation of illegal immigrants and fisheries disputes among others. The mainland side attempts to change the set agenda.
August 31, 1993
Xinhua News Agency reports that the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Information Office of the State Council jointly publish the "White Paper on Taiwan Unification" in seven languages -- Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. The paper elaborates on the status quo and origin of the Taiwan issue and the PRC's position on solving the Taiwan issue.
August 31, 1993
Kao Koong-lian, vice-chairman of the ROC Mainland Affairs Council, tells a news conference that MAC has a five-point analysis of the PRC's White Paper. Kao believes that the issuance of the White Paper will have nothing but a negative effect on the development of cross-strait relations.
September 9, 1993
Premier Lien Chan orders MAC and other government agencies to make short-term, medium-term, and long-term responses to the PRC's White Paper to ensure that Mainland China and the world understand the ROC's bid and position on returning to the United Nations.
September 16, 1993
The MAC publishes a comment on the PRC's White Paper on Taiwan Unification, saying that "There is no 'Taiwan Question,' there is only a 'China Question.'"
November 2, 1993
The second functional meeting after the first Koo-Wang Talks is held in Xiamen. The two sides discuss issues including the repatriation of illegal immigrants, the settlement of fishing disputes, the repatriation of hijackers, and the simplification of entry and exit for officials of the two associations. The two sides still have disagreements.
December 19, 1993
The third functional meeting after the first Koo-Wang Talks is held in the China Trust Commercial Bank Building in Taipei. Representatives of the two sides discuss issues including the repatriation of hijackers, the settlement of fishing disputes, the repatriation of illegal immigrants, simplification of entry and exit of SEF and ARATS officials, protection of Taiwan businessmen, scientific and technological exchanges between the two sides, cooperation on crime control, judicial cooperation, and intellectua l property rights protection.