Date: September 30, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 71
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and Executive Yuan's Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center held the "Symposium on the Mini-Three-Links: Review and Outlook" on September 30, 2017, at the Everrich Golden Lake Hotel in Kinmen. The symposium, one activity for the 30th Anniversary of Cross-Strait Exchanges, discussed how to bring more development opportunities for Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu through the first trial and first implementation of the Mini-Three-Links.
The symposium participants enthusiastically presented a number of suggestions for promotion of the development of Mini-Three-Links industries and enhancing economic growth in Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. Attending as chair for Fujian Province, Minister without Portfolio and Director of the Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center Chang Jing-sen said that the development mode of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu should be considered from a more macroscopic angle to further advance the Mini-Three-Links, and that specific regulatory amendments should be proposed.
MAC Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh stated in her concluding remarks that, in the near future, the MAC would coordinate with the relevant authorities to deliberate relaxing the criteria for purpose of travel by Chinese mainlanders to Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu via the Mini-Three- Links. They would also discuss reductions to the review period for art, cultural, and business exchanges via the Mini-Three-Links, as well as simplification of documentary requirements in applications for individual travel via the Mini-Three-Links. The measures would facilitate travel by Chinese mainlanders to Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu for exchanges. During the symposium, Minister without Portfolio Chang said that the views of all sides should be promptly sought and that revisions to the Regulations Governing the Trial Operation of Transportation Links Between Kinmen/Matsu/Penghu and the Mainland Area and other relevant legislation should be considered to implement improvement measures. Regarding overall economic development plans and cross-Strait interaction, related matters should be handled orderly in light of the cross-Strait situation and the professional assessment of the relevant competent authorities.
Minister Chang stressed that a number of issues concerning Mini-Three-Links require cross-Strait coordination and discussion. She expressed hope that the two sides should resume communication as soon as possible so that these issues can be fully discussed. A brighter outlook both for the Mini-Three-Links and for development in Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu depends on the progress of peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.
The symposium was the largest Mini-Three-Links policy event to be held in Kinmen in recent years. The MAC thanked Deputy Magistrate of Kinmen County Wu Cherng-Dean and Lienchiang County Magistrate Liu Cheng-ying for attending. Among the other approximately 250 participants were legislators Yang Cheng-wu and Chen Hsueh-sheng, Control Yuan Member Liu Te-hsun, National Immigration Agency Director-General Jeff Yang, Director-General David Hsieh of the Maritime Port Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Director-General Jih-Haw Chou of the Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare. The symposium concluded successfully at 4:00 p.m.