February 6, 2016
The ARATS sent a letter to the SEF expressing concern and extending condolences for the victims of the earthquake in southern Taiwan and expressed their willingness to provide timely assistance.
February 14, 2016
The ARATS sent a letter to the SEF reiterating condolences to the victims of the earthquake in southern Taiwan and informing that a donation of RMB 5 million would be made to the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China through the SEF.
April 25, 2016
The SEF said that it had informed the ARATS through emergency contact channels about a traffic accident involving a group of tourists from Suzhou, mainland China. It informed that the matter would be dealt with according to standard procedures and that necessary assistance would be provided to the Mainland tourists.
July 5, 2016
The SEF issued a press release stating that hundreds of people in mainland China have been killed or injured recently due to tornadoes, rainstorms, floods and other severe weather. The authorities in Taiwan have twice authorized the SEF to contact the ARATS to express concern and condolences.
July 19, 2016
SEF issued a press release on the bus fire that caused the death of 24 Mainland tourists. The SEF immediately informed the ARATS about the incident upon receiving authorization from the MAC and sent a formal notification shortly thereafter. The SEF will remain in contact with the concerned parties to understand the related information and provide necessary assistance. Any new information will be forwarded to the ARATS through the SEF-ARATS liaison channel.
July 19, 2016
Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said that upon learning about the Liaoning tour group bus accident and fire in Taoyuan the TAO launched mechanisms for handling Taiwan-related emergencies. The ARATS and Taiwan's SEF, as well as the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association and Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, have been in emergency contact to understand the situation. The Mainland demands that the relevant parties in Taiwan identify the cause of the accident and appropriately handle the aftermath of the accident.
July 20, 2016
ARATS Chairman Chen Deming said that after learning about the bus fire involving Mainland tourists in Taiwan, the ARATS immediately launched an emergency contact mechanism, as authorized by the relevant agencies, to understand the situation and assist related staff and families of the victims to quickly arrange affairs to visit Taiwan. The ARATS will fully cooperate and coordinate the relevant parties in follow-up matters as required by the Taiwan Affairs Office.