January 28, 2014
Mac News Release No. 005
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today (January 28, 2014) that MAC Minister Wang Yu-chi has accepted an invitation by Director Zhang Zhijun of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office to lead a MAC delegation to Nanjing and Shanghai in the Mainland on February 11 to 14. During the visit, officials in charge of competent agencies for cross-strait affairs on both sides will meet to exchange views on important issues related to cross-strait affairs, and related visits and events will also be carried out.
The MAC stated that during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bali, Indonesia last year, Minister Wang and Zhang Zhijun had a spontaneous meeting during which they exchanged brief pleasantries and addressed each other by their official titles. Minister Wang proposed the idea of regular exchange visits by heads of competent authorities for cross-strait affairs on both sides, and Zhang Zhijun endorsed and welcomed Minister Wang to visit the Mainland. The MAC emphasized the hope that exchange visits by the heads of the competent authorities for cross-strait affairs would enable the two sides to pragmatically discuss issues related to cross-strait affairs, enhance mutual understanding and promote their respective businesses.
The MAC indicated that, through recent communication channels, the two sides have finalized the itinerary and related arrangements for Minister Wang's visit to the Mainland. Minister Wang will lead the MAC delegation on a four-day, three-night visit to Nanjing and Shanghai. The tentative itinerary for the Nanjing visit includes a meeting between the heads in charge of cross-strait affairs, a visit to pay respects at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and a speech at Nanjing University; itinerary for Shanghai includes discussions with scholars and experts of local think tanks, a visit to Radio and Television Shanghai, and a visit to the Shanghai Taiwanese Children School to show concern for Taiwanese students and businesspeople in the Mainland. The delegation will have about 20 members, including MAC Spokesperson and Deputy Minister Wu Mei-hung and the heads and staff of related MAC departments.
The MAC also pointed out that, according to public opinion surveys, 60% to 70% of the people approve of direct official contact between two sides and exchange visits by Minister Wang and Zhang Zhijun, and also believe that regular meetings between the two sides would facilitate development of cross-strait relations. Furthermore, out of respect for Congress, Minister Wang paid visits to President Wang Jin-Pyng of the Legislative Yuan and legislators of ruling and opposition parties on January 10 and 27, respectively, to explain arrangements related to the Mainland trip. Minister Wang will abide the relevant resolutions of the Legislative Yuan during the trip to the Mainland and will report to the Legislative Yuan upon return.
The MAC stated that, over the past nearly six years, cross-strait relations have substantially improved, steadily developed, and exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have continued to expand, all on the basis of the "1992 Consensus." Minister Wang will be the first MAC Minister to visit the Mainland as a serving government official, which is a major significant index in the normalization of development in cross-strait relations. The MAC stressed that Minister Wang's visit will enhance mutual understanding and strengthen mutual trust between the two sides, as well as enable competent authorities for cross-strait affairs on both sides to openly communicate and efficiently handle cross-strait related affairs. Thus enhance the welfare of the people on both sides of the Strait, work together to further institutionalize cross-strait relations and promote peaceful and stable development across the Taiwan Strait.