February 5, 2016
MAC Minister Andrew Hsia and Director Zhang Zhijun of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office exchanged views on the recent development of cross-strait relations during a hotline call. Minister Hsia noted that the peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations is the greatest common factor in Taiwan across party lines and areas. This mainstream view is an important policy basis. Both sides should endeavor to maintain and treasure the existing achievements. Minister Hsia also stressed that the two sides should continue to maintain communication and exchanges to avoid misunderstanding and misjudging the situation. Both sides also need to try to reduce the potential risk of evoking opposition initiatives and should strive to create the healthy and orderly development of cross-strait relations. Director Zhang Zhijun said that the ability of the two sides over the last eight years to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and reap the fruitful results of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations is because the two sides have adhered to the common political basis of the "1992 Consensus." So long as they recognize the historical fact of the "1992 Consensus" and identify with the core meaning of both sides belonging to "one China," it would be possible to maintain the status quo and results of the peaceful development of cross-strait ties.
February 6, 2016
The TAO contacted the MAC through the cross-strait liaison and communication mechanism to understand the situation in the Kaohsiung earthquake disaster area and to express condolences to the victims. The TAO also conveyed the Mainland's willingness to provide relief assistance if needed.
February 15, 2016
Director Zhang Zhijun reiterated the sympathies and concerns of the Mainland leader for the earthquake in southern Taiwan during a hotline call with MAC Minister Andrew Hsia. Minister Hsia thanked the Mainland on behalf of Taiwan and President Ma Ying-jeou.
April 12, 2016
MAC Minister Andrew Hsia expressed Taiwan's solemn stance on the Mainland's detention of Taiwan nationals deported from Kenya during a hotline call with Director Zhang Zhijun of the Mainland's TAO. He also pledged to send a delegation to the Mainland to understand the facts, coordinate follow-up matters , visit with the detainees, and secure the prompt return of the 45 Taiwanese people detained in the Mainland. Director Zhang Zhijun said that he would convey the views to the related departments and that cross-Strait communication on cooperation in combating transnational telecommunications fraud would be continued through the agreement channels.
April 20, 2016
The Ministry of Justice sent a delegation to the Mainland to discuss approaches to handling the Kenya, Malaysia, and other cases involving cross-Strait or transnational crime.
April 30, 2016
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) issued a press release stating that it was notified by the Mainland's Ministry of Public Security that 23 Taiwanese suspects deported from Malaysia were under detention at the Zhuhai No. 1 and No. 2 Detention Centers in Guangdong Province. The MOJ said it would promptly send a delegation to the Mainland and continue consultations on joint investigation into matters related to cross-border fraud.
May 12-14, 2016
The Ministry of Justice sent a second delegation to the Mainland to begin negotiations with mainland China's Ministry of Public Security on issues related to the Kenya case and other cases of cross-border telecommunications fraud. The two sides exchanged evidence and intelligence, and under the framework of the Agreement on Joint Cross-Strait Crime-Fighting and Mutual Judicial Assistance, reached consensus on cooperation in the investigation, recovery, and return of the illegal gains, and on the ongoing study and discussion of future principles for handling transnational crime.
July 10, 2016
The MAC issued a press release stating that it contacted the Taiwan Affairs Office to express sympathy and condolences to the Mainland side following Typhoon Nepartak, which caused severe destruction in mainland China. The MAC was also willing to provide necessary assistance.
July 19, 2016
The MAC stated that it immediately contacted the Taiwan Affairs Office through existing mechanisms after a deadly bus accident involving a tour group from Liaoning.