November 12, 2014
MAC News Release No. 98
Minister Wang Yu-chi of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) met with Director Zhang Zhijun of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) in Beijing today (November 12, 2014), during which the two sides discussed recent developments in cross-strait relations and related issues. Minister Wang stated in a speech that, cross-strait relations has significantly improved and progressed forward over the past six years, and the most crucial key for that has been the "1992 consensus". In the future, the two sides will continue to seek progress amidst stability on the basis of this greatest common denominator across the Strait, “the 1992 Consensus,” and continue to promote peaceful and stable development of cross-strait relations.
On the matter of institutionalized cross-strait negotiations, both sides agreed to proactively promote operational talks for following negotiation issues, such as that for the Trade in Goods Agreement, and to concretely respond to respective concerns from each side of the Strait. On the matter of reciprocal establishment of SEF-ARATS institutions, the two sides will pragmatically handle issues of mutual concern, and push for early completion of negotiations in order to meet public expectations for high-quality service institutions.
On the issue of Mainland tourist transits in Taiwan, the two sides will authorize the SEF and ARATS to begin discussions, and further communicate on facilitation measures for people’s exchanges across the Strait.
On the matters of cross-strait economic cooperation and joint participation in regional economic integration, the MAC and TAO will begin prompt substantive discussions based on the current preparatory work conducted for joint research.
On the issue of cross-strait food safety, the two sides have agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation through the established Cross-Strait Food Safety Agreement mechanism. Minister Wang stated that, the two sides should strengthen information notification and examination procedures for the recent food safety incident, and on the existing notification system basis, further provide case-by-case assistance to resolve product clearance issues. He also stated that, within reasonable risk control requirements, the two sides should adopt appropriate management measures to avoid expansion of problem to unrelated food items, so that cross-strait food safety and normal trade operations may both be ensured. Furthermore, the two sides will also continue promotion of cultural, educational, technology and youth exchanges across the Strait.
Minister Wang was joined at the meeting by MAC Vice Minister Wu Mei-hung and other colleagues; staff from both the MAC and TAO dined together following the meeting. Minister Wang said that the MAC and TAO are key agencies in handling cross-strait affairs, and over the past nine months since the MAC-TAO communication and liaison mechanism was established, the two sides have interacted positively and dealt with issues timely and efficiently. In the future, he stated, the two sides should endeavor in strengthening communication channels, facilitating understanding, and improving efficiency of handling cross-strait affairs, thereby jointly dedicate efforts to improving the people’s welfare on both sides.