January 14, 2004
The Mainland's Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) replies to the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) pointing out that Fu Hung-chang and seven (7) other Taiwanese citizens whose whereabouts the SEF were trying to find out were spies dispatched by Taiwan's Military Intelligence Bureau to the Mainland with the purpose of intelligence gathering. They are right now detained by the Mainland's state security unit. They have confessed everything about their identities as spies and their espionage activities. The ARATS letter also states that the seven detainees are in excellent physical condition and their case is now being proceeded.
January 16, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) replies to the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) about the seven (7) Taiwanese citizens detained and tried in the Mainland for allegedly gathering military intelligence in the Mainland, expressing hope that the Mainland will find out the truth as soon as possible to prove their innocence, as well as expressing its regret over the Mainland's violation of the principle of privacy in investigations committed by relevant agencies and the Mainland's harm to the interests of the persons involved.
January 17, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes again to the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) reiterating Taiwan's serious protest and regret over the Mainland's violation of the principle of privacy in their investigation of the case involving the detained Taiwan businessmen in the Mainland and the Mainland's failure to go through the proper judicial procedures in coming up with a decision on the case. The SEF letter also contains six proposals, one among which is to urge the Mainland side to protect the basic interests and provide judicial assistance to the people concerned.
January 29, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes to the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) urging the Mainland to provide assistance to the family members to visit the detained Taiwan businessmen, and expressing hope that the detained personnel will be freed as soon as possible.
February 12, 2004
The Mainland confirms that the Taiwanese couple in Xianyou, Fujian, Chang Hsu-min and Yu Shih-ping, have been arrested for allegedly involving in gathering sensitive information about the Mainland's deployment of ballistic missiles. The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has written the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) stressing that both people are mere Taiwan businessmen and hoping that the Mainland will ascertain the facts. SEF Secretary-General Hsu Hwei-you also urges the Mainland not to indiscriminately arrest innocent Taiwanese people for political purposes.
February 19, 2004
With regard to the murder of Taiwan businessman Huang Yu-cheng in Hainan Province, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has immediately written the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and other agencies concerned to expeditiously arrest the criminals and once more urged the authorities concerned in the Mainland to actively investigate the case and arrest the criminals, as well as face up to the public safety, to guarantee the personal safety of the Taiwan businessmen.
February 23, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation once again writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) hoping that the Mainland side will expeditiously assist in arresting and deporting Chang Yi-sung and Chen You-hao, so that both sides could fight together against crime.
February 26, 2004
With regard to the murder of a Taiwanese businessman surnamed Sung in Dongguan, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) once again writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) demanding that the Mainland side provide related information as soon as possible, so that police authorities in Taiwan could investigate simultaneously.
April 29, 2004
SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu points out in a written statement in commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the "Koo-Wang Talks" that although the political positions of both sides of the Strait are differing, it is due to this differing positions that there is a need for both sides to exercise tolerance toward differing views and to continue mutual dialogue. It is hoped that both sides could maintain an attitude of mutual tolerance and resume constructive dialogue, to open up a new era of cross-Strait interaction and promote the interests of the people on both sides of the Strait. In this way, both sides can establish a new prospect of peaceful development.
April 29, 2004
Two officers of the Coast Guard Administration on duty were threatened and forced by Mainland fishermen to take them to the Mainland in the course of handling a dispute arising from the collision of fishing vessels belonging to both sides of the Strait. The SEF immediately wrote the Mainland's ARATS to demand the safety of the two Coast Guard officers and to arrange for their safe return to Taiwan. At the same time, the SEF also demanded that the Mainland side no longer appease lawbreakers, so as not to affect the harmony between both sides of the Strait.
May 1, 2004
The Mainland's ARATS sent a fax to the SEF with regard to the earthquake in Hualien and requested the SEF to convey their sympathy and solicitude to the family members of the earthquake victims.
June 15, 2004
During the visit of MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu to the "Hsinchu Refugee Camp for Mainland Chinese," he urges the Mainland to reinforce its discipline on its citizens, and strictly check on and arrest persons responsible for illegal stowaways. Both the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait should sign an agreement as soon as possible on the repatriation of stowaways, so as to solve the problem completely.
June 30, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation sends an official letter to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait demanding that the Mainland side send vessels as soon as possible to repatriate the more than 2,700 stowaways who have overstayed in Taiwan and have been awaiting deportation. If the Mainland has any difficulty in dispatching ships, the Taiwan side is willing to rent appropriate vessels to execute the mission of repatriating the stowaways.
July 2, 2004
With regard to the announcement of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau that it has cracked down a cross-Strait telephone fraud case, MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san states in a regular press briefing that each side persists in the implementation of their respective judicial jurisdiction, but if the Mainland authorities insist on their jurisdiction over this case, then the matter will get more complicated. The MAC will try to communicate with the other side through certain channels and make it clear that the alleged Taiwanese criminals should be repatriated to Taiwan for trial, which would be more convenient and more effective.
July 5, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait sends a cable to the Straits Exchange Foundation expressing sympathy and solicitude for the Taiwanese people who suffered from the typhoon Mindulle.
July 13, 2004
MAC Spokesperson Chiu Tai-san urges the other side of the Strait to sign a travel agreement with Taiwan as soon as possible, to guarantee the safety of Taiwanese travelers, and reiterates the Government's hope and intention to resume institutionalized negotiations as soon as possible, hoping that a permanent solution will be found to address the related issues that concern people's lives and the economy. Any form of negotiations model is acceptable as long as the other side has the intention. Related laws on allowing civilian organizations other than the existing Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait to participate in negotiations can be announced and completed at any time.
July 29, 2004
A board meeting of the Straits Exchange Foundation is convened and a resolution is passed appointing MAC Vice Chairman Johnnason Liu as the new Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Liu also states that there should be no pre-set conditions and issues in the negotiations on cross-Strait affairs and hopes that negotiations on every issue shall be resumed as soon as possible.
July 29, 2004
In an address at a board meeting of the Straits Exchange Foundation, Chairman Dr. Koo Chen-fu states that there are differing opinions and lines of thinking between both sides of the Strait, which should be patched up through negotiations and dialogue. Therefore, the present goal that both sides should strive for is to actively promote the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible.
August 13, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) with regard to the typhoon that swept the Zhejiang area in the Mainland causing huge losses in the people's lives and property. The SEF requests the ARATS to convey their sincere sympathies to the victims and their family members in the disaster areas.
August 25, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait writes the Straits Exchange Foundation conveying their sympathy and solicitude to the Taiwanese compatriots affected by Typhoon Aere.
August 26, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes a thankful letter to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait for its showing sympathy to the victims of Typhoon Aere, which lashed at Taiwan causing losses in people's lives and property.
September 7, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait expressing concerns over the losses in the northeastern area of Sichuan Province due to torrential rains, and extending sympathy and condolence to the victims and their families.
October 22, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) expressing its profound concern over the serious casualties incurred due to the unfortunate coal mine explosion a few days ago at the Henan area. The SEF requests the ARATS to relay its sincerest sympathies to the injured victims and their family members.
October 26, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) writes the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) extending its sympathies to Taiwanese compatriots who were victims of Typhoon Nock-ten.
November 26, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait concerning the murder case of Chang Jung-kun and other Taiwanese businessmen, seeking the assistance of the Association in coordinating with the agencies concerned as soon as possible in arresting the suspects, and in rendering assistance to the family members who have gone to the Mainland to handle the funeral matters.
December 2, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait: "According to news reports, there was a coal mine explosion in the areas of Shaanxi and Guizhou a few days ago, which caused serious injuries and casualties. The SEF expresses its profound concern over the incident and sincere sympathies to the victims and their family members."