January 1, 2001
President Chen Shui-bian emphasizes in his New Year's Day Message that although there is a lack of consensus within Taiwan on the formulation of a policy for future cross-Strait relations, there is consistent position to demand the Mainland to abandon the use of force against Taiwan, and to engage in constructive dialogue by peaceful means.
January 1, 2001
Trial implementation of "Mini-Three-links" at Kinmen and Matsu commences based on the "Guidelines for the Trial Implementation of Transportation Links at Kinmen and Matsu."
January 2, 2001
The official visiting delegation for the "Mini-Three-Links" between Kinmen and Xiamen sets off smoothly at Liao-luo Port in Kinmen.
January 3, 2001
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expresses that the success of the "Mini-Three-Links" is the key to the smooth implementation of the "Three-Links." The Government has never intended to use the "Mini-Three-links" as a way to delay the implementation of the "Three-Links."
January 6, 2001
The Executive Yuan holds the nationwide Economic Development Advisory Conference in Taipei on the 6th and 7th. The results include the evaluation and adjustment of the "commercial links" policy of the "Three-Llinks" in coordination with Taiwan's accession to the WTO, by reasonably allowing the importation of Mainland goods, allowing Mainland capital and businesses to invest in Taiwan's service sector, engaging in negotiations for cross-Strait direct transportation links under the principles of parity and reciprocity, reinforcing cross-Strait technological exchanges, and allowing large-scale importation of technological manpower resources from the Mainland.
January 11, 2001
In a meeting with Richard Bush Chairman of American Institute in Taiwan , MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expresses that Taiwan still hopes the negotiations mechanism between the SEF and the ARATS will be resumed as soon as possible, and that under certain conditions, government officials of both sides of the Strait can sit down together to exchange views.
January 12, 2001
President Chen Shui-bian expresses that the integration he has in mind is patterned after that of the European Union, wherein there are three concepts involved: sovereignty, freedom, and self-will.
January 19, 2001
PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen points out at the National Conference of Directors of Taiwan Affairs Offices that cross-Strait economic, cultural, and personnel exchanges should be further promoted in order to speed up the realization of cross-Strait direct "Three-Links" as soon as possible.
January 22, 2001
MAC issues three statements in response to Qian Qichen's statement on the 6th anniversary of "Jiang Zemin's Eight-Point Proposal." The MAC reiterates its desire to sit down and talk with Mainland authorities without setting any preconditions and pre-set positions, and start a dialogue on issues that concern both sides.
January 22, 2001
The Mainland holds a forum in Beijing in commemoration of the 6th anniversary of Jiang's "Eight-Point proposal." PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen says, "The compatriots on both sides of the Strait are Chinese; the Mainland and Taiwan both belong within the territory of China. The Mainland side seeks peaceful unification and the "one China" that it advocates includes the Mainland and Taiwan in it."
January 29, 2001
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expresses that Legislator Tsao Er-chung's signing of a cooperation agreement with the Economic, Cultural, and Exchange Center of Mawei, Fujian, is non-official in nature, and does not concern whether it is valid or not. The authority to negotiate on the "Mini-Three-Links" lies on the central government, and negotiations conducted by local governments cannot represent official negotiations."
February 6, 2001
An Xiamen commercial vessel makes a first in history by sailing between Kinmen and Xiamen."
February 8, 2001
The Xinhua News Agency's first batch of news correspondents to station in Taiwan, Fan Liqing and Chen Pinhua, arrives in Taipei for a month-long stay and coverage of Taiwan news reports.
February 20, 2001
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung expresses in his administrative report at the Legislative Yuan that the "no haste, be patient" policy implemented by the past administration requires adjustment due to changes in current conditions. The Executive Yuan has directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other agencies concerned to make a comprehensive evaluation of cross-Strait trade and economic policies, and adjust them toward the direction of "proactive liberalization with effective management."
February 23, 2001
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung says at the Legislative Yuan that the "Guidelines for National Unification" is an important document on cross-Strait relations. There have been changes in cross-Strait interaction and trends, and there indeed is a need for a re-consideration of matters. However, there is no immediate need to adjust the "Guidelines for National Unification."
March 1, 2001
SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu makes an inspection visit to the SEF . In answering questions of reporters, he emphasizes that during the talks in 1992, both the SEF and the ARATS have exchanged 13 versions of interpretations. Later on there were even oral interpretation schemes. The Mainland says that both sides have achieved a consensus that "both sides have been firm in the "One China" principle. However, Taiwan's understanding of the consensus is a "one China" with respective interpretations. Such an argument was later on put aside.
March 5, 2001
At the 4th Conference of the National People's Congress, PRC Premier Zhu Rongji expresses that the Mainland will continue to implement the basic guiding principles of "peaceful unification and one country, two systems" and Jiang's "Eight-Point proposal." It will also continue to promote cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations by standing firm on the principle of "one China," in order to develop cross-Strait economic, cultural, and personnel exchanges.
March 9, 2001
At the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the SEF, the MAC expresses that the SEF has always been authorized as the sole communications channel that takes charge of the Government's handling of cross-Strait affairs that involve public authority in the past ten years of cross-Strait negotiations.
March 21, 2001
He Shizhong, Director of Bureau of Economic Affairs Taiwan Affairs Office, leading a Mainland trade and economic delegation to visit Taiwan, expresses that the Mainland authorities will not allow Taiwanese businessmen to make money in the Mainland, on the one hand, while support independence in Taiwan, on the other hand. Moreover, he criticizes the "no haste, be patient" policy of the Taiwan Government.
March 23, 2001
In an interview with the Washington Post, PRC President Jiang Zemin expresses that the confederation or federal system is not applicable to cross-Strait unification.
March 26, 2001
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expresses that both sides of the Strait should establish a foundation of mutual trust through trade and economic interaction.
May 31, 2001
The Japanese Sankei Shimbun reports that the Mainland is preparing to hold large-scale military exercises of its ground, air, and naval forces, and strategic missile units at Dongshan Island in Fujian Province. Su-27 fighter planes bought from Russia will also be used at the exercises. The large-scale landing exercises will have Taiwan as the imaginary target of the attack. The objective is to simulate air domination on the Taiwan Strait.
April 9, 2001
The Council of Labor Affairs announces and implements the "Guidelines for the Employment and Management of Mainland Spouses During Their Period of Stay in Taiwan."
April 27, 2001
In a talk on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the "Koo-Wang talks," SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu expresses that only when both sides of the Strait communicate and engage in a face-to-face dialogue will they be able to seek their common grounds and resolve misunderstandings, as well as enhance mutual trust and find space for further cooperation. He makes another sincere invitation to ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan to visit Taipei.
May 15, 2001
Ministry of Economic Affairs Minister Lin Hsin-yi says in a press conference that the Government's "no haste, be patient" policy on trade and economic relations with the Mainland will be adjusted. Future industrial investments in the Mainland will be listing down which industries are not allowed for investment instead of listing only those industries that are allowed for investment. However, power plant investments will still not be allowed.
May 21, 2001
President Chen Shui-bian embarks on a state visit to Central American countries, with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations, from May 21 to June 5.
May 24, 2001
At a Task Conference for Propaganda to Taiwan, PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen reiterates the "three new clauses," which refer to the upholding that there is only "one China" in the world, that both the Mainland and Taiwan belong to this "one China," and that the sovereignty of China and the integrity of its territory cannot be divisible.
May 27, 2001
President Chen Shui-bian introduces the "New Five No's Policy" in cross-Strait relations at a tea session with accompanying reporters in Guatemala during his Latin American trip. These are: 1. Weapons purchases from and stopovers in the United States are not to be considered provocative to the PRC; 2. The ROC government will not misread the cross-strait situation; 3. Taiwan will not be a pawn of any country; 4. Taipei has never abandoned its sincerity and its efforts to improve cross-strait relations, ; and 5. cross-strait ties are not zero-sum .
May 30, 2001
Partial revisions of the "Measures Governing Banking Sector's Correspondence Between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" are passed in a Executive Yuan session, which will allow branch offices of international financial institutions to run direct financial operations between both sides of the Strait and will permit Taiwanese financial institutions to establish representative offices in the Mainland.
May 30, 2001
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing expresses that the stalemate between both sides of the Strait has not yet been broken, which is closely connected with the refusal of Taiwan's leader to acknowledge the principle of "one China."
June 1, 2001
The MAC releases its white paper on Hong Kong and Macao, pointing out its hope for the Mainland to pragmatically handle Taiwan-Hong Kong and Macao affairs from a macro- and long-term view, and for both sides to establish a normalized mechanism for communication and coordination. It also expresses hope that Hong Kong and Macao would set up representative offices in Taiwan to establish a new structure for mutual exchanges and create a quadruple-win situation together.
June 6, 2001
The Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announces that since Taiwan and Hong Kong have not yet finished discussing a new aviation agreement, both sides have signed an agreement to postpone the expiration of the old agreement from June 12 to December 31, in order to maintain normal operation of flights between Taiwan and Hong Kong.
June 7, 2001
PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Sun Yuxi says that the basic advocacy of the Mainland is the realization of "peaceful unification." Once Taiwan acknowledges the principle of "one China," both sides of the Strait can then discuss how to relax the current tension across the Taiwan Strait. For example, issues like the withdrawal of deployed missiles in Fujian Province can be solved through negotiations.
July 5, 2001
The MAC releases a policy paper on the "Planning and Implementation of the Policy Allowing People from the Mainland Area to Visit Taiwan for Tourism," pointing out that the Government has completed the draft of the "Permit Guidelines for Allowing People from the Mainland Area to Engage in Tourism in Taiwan." The number of tourists from the Mainland will be managed through step-by-step "volume control" procedures, and tourists belonging to the same group will be required to enter and exit the country together.
July 8, 2001
The Economic Development Advisory Commission of the Office of the President convenes its first preparatory meeting that lists the "promotion of cross-Strait trade and exchanges with roots remaining in Taiwan" as one of the discussion issues in its agenda. The topics include 1. cross-Strait trade and economic relations and national security, 2.evaluation of cross-Strait investment regulations, 3.timetable and conditions for implementing cross-Strait direct transportation links, 4.establishment of capital backflow mechanism, and 5.the speed-up of adjustments to cope with accession to the WTO and cross-Strait trade and economy.
July 10, 2001
The SEF writes the ARATS requesting it to coordinate agencies concerned in the Mainland for assistance in arresting and repatriating the suspect who faxes a threatening extortion letter, as soon as possible.
July 10, 2001
In an interview with the Tass News Agency and Russia's government-owned ORT (television network) at the Zhongnanhai in Beijing, PRC President Jiang Zemin expresses that it cannot promise to abandon the use of force against Taiwan, especially against the "foreign forces" and the groups in Taiwan that are opposed to the Mainland government.
July 12, 2001
In a meeting with a delegation composed of New Party representatives, PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen proposes seven concrete measures on the "one country, two systems," namely, 1. Taiwan can continue to use its own currency; 2. it can keep its troops; 3. it will constitute a separate tariff region; 4. it can retain its government apparatus; 5. not one cent will be taken from Taiwan and its capital will not be drawn on; 6. people and businesses of Taiwan can hold on to their properties; and 7. Taiwan will have autonomy in installing its officials and none will be dispatched from the Mainland.
July 13, 2001
President Chen Shui-bian expresses that the "one country, two systems" is making Taiwan similar to the "Hong Kong" model, wherein certain systems, freedom, and human rights need the approval of Mainland authorities to take effect. This kind of "one country, two systems" is not acceptable to the majority of the Taiwanese people.
August 6, 2001
The SEF writes the ARATS about the illegal entry of Mainland fishermen in Taiwan waters, and asks the ARATS to coordinate agencies concerned to strictly restrain Mainland fishermen.
August 14, 2001
The Ministry of the Interior promulgates partial revisions of the "Measures Governing Mainland Professionals to Visit Taiwan for Professional Activities," which extends the stay of Mainland high-tech personnel in Taiwan to three years.
August 26, 2001
The Economic Development Advisory Conference passes a consensus on 36 items reached by the Cross-Strait Affairs Panel, which includes the promotion of the basic principles of cross-Strait trade and economic development, the proactive liberalization of cross-Strait trade and economy and investment (loosening the "no haste, be patient" policy), the establishment of a flexible mechanism for cross-Strait capital flow, the accession to the WTO and the cross-Strait "Three-Links," the active promotion of allowing Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan and of cross-Strait negotiations.
August 28, 2001
The Washington Times reports that according to the latest intelligence data of the US, the Mainland has kept on deploying M-type short-range ballistic missiles along the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang. Missiles deployed increased from 300 this April to more than 350 right now. The US reconnaissance satellite at the same time discovers that a new M-M missile base has been spotted around the Jiangshan area in Zhejiang Province in July.
September 3, 2001
At a gathering of foreign reporters in Beijing, PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao warns that foreign companies directly communicating with Taiwan Government officials will lose their business opportunities in the Mainland.
September 5, 2001
An Executive Yuan session passes revision of the "Trial Implementation of the Measures Governing Transport Between the Offshore Islands of Kinmen and Matsu and the Mainland Areas," which augments that during the trial run of direct transportation links, R.O.C. vessels may enter the Mainland area through the Penghu Islands with prior approval by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications on a special case basis, as deemed necessary by Taiwan's Mainland policy.
September 21, 2001
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen emphasizes during a question and answer session at the Legislative Yuan that such policies as cross-Strait direct transportation links and allowing Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan involve the enforcement of administrative authority, and it is not appropriate to allow private institutions to replace the Government in negotiations with the Mainland.
September 27, 2001
At a press conference, PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao reiterates that according to the regulations and practices of related Memorandum of Understanding at the APEC, "Chen Shui-bian cannot attend the APEC Conference in Shanghai."
September 28, 2001
The Ministry of Finance approves the setting up of offices in the Mainland by the First Bank, Huanan Commercial Bank, Changhwa Bank, International Commercial Bank of China, the Land Bank, Taiwan Cooperative Bank, United World Chinese Commercial Bank, and the Chinatrust Bank.
October 1, 2001
The 16-member delegation composed of journalists from the Mainland's All-China Journalists' Association arrives in Taiwan for a visit. This batch of Mainland reporters will not be restricted in their activities and can freely engage in interviews and cover news reports related to education within the time period indicated on the Reporter's ID card issued by the GIO. This has made a breakthrough in previous restrictions and regulations on Mainland reporters.
October 10, 2001
In his National Day address, President Chen Shui-bian expresses the hope that the leaders of the Mainland will be able to see the current mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and will resume the mechanism of cross-Strait talks, and open up the door to negotiations, in order to create infinite possibilities and opportunities for the peoples on both sides of the Strait in the coming new century.
October 18, 2001
PRC MOFA Minister Tang Jiaxuan "corrects" Taiwan media at an APEC press conference in calling the Mainland administration as "Communist China," and outrageously refuses Taiwan's Economics Affairs Minister Lin Hsin-i from speaking.
October 20, 2001
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing says at a press conference that if Taiwan abolishes the restrictions regarding the stationing of Mainland journalists in Taiwan to cover news reports, stipulating that only "four news media agencies, two journalists, and one month stay" are allowed, then it will further consider relaxing restrictions to allow Taiwan's media to set up offices and reporters' stations in the Mainland.
October 21, 2001
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing says at a press conference that it supports the employment of Taiwanese students in the Mainland as long as they satisfy the employment requirements and the employing agencies accept them.
November 1, 2001
During a meeting with former US Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, President Chen Shui-bian points out that the Mainland mentions that acknowledging the principle of "One China" is the "1992 Consensus," and that this serves as a pre-condition for resuming talks is its disguise to refuse talks. We have gone over every document, and there is no so-called "consensus." This has been unilaterally decided by the Mainland, and has not gained the approval of Taiwan.
November 1, 2001
In a regular press conference, PRC Minitry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao says that under the principle of "one China," Taiwan can demand a joint holding of the Olympic Games. A joint hosting of the Games can be negotiated, but the final approval rests on the International Olympic Committee.
November 7, 2001
An Executive Yuan session approves the policy of "proactive liberalization with effective management" of Mainland investments, abolishes the US$50 million maximum limit to Mainland investment cases, and implements a new review mechanism.
November 7, 2001
The Executive Yuan announces the second-phase exchange measures of cross-Strait financial operations, and decides to relax remmitances between Overseas Banking Units (OBU) and Mainland banks.
November 12, 2001
The MAC issues a statement pointing out that each side of the Strait do not belong to each other. The accession of each side to the WTO is handled separately, and both sides shall be considered independent, parallel, equal members after accession. It is hoped that the Mainland authorities will not use political interference in disrupting cross-Strait economic and trade relations and cross-Strait interaction under the WTO structure, in order to show the spirit of free trade at the WTO.
December 5, 2001
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing emphasizes that the Mainland's Taiwan policy will not change and that it welcomes Taiwanese businessmen to continue investing in the Mainland. The Mainland is willing to communicate with any political party, any organization, and any person in Taiwan, as long as they accept the principle of "one China" and the "1992 Consensus," and advocate the improvement and development of cross-Strait relations.
December 16, 2001
The Mainland's ARATS holds a cocktail reception to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its founding in Beijing. Wang Daohan's written statement says that the accession of both sides of the Strait to the WTO has produced favorable conditions for the "Three-Links." Both sides should implement the "Three-Links" as soon as possible, and reinforce cross-Strait economic cooperation. Moreover, it mentions that Taiwan should acknowledge the "1992 Consensus" so that both parties can resume dialogues as soon as possible.
December 25, 2001
The Executive Yuan's Steering Committee of the "Mini-Three-Links" at Kinmen and Matsu decides on extending its trial implementation for one year.