The Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, together with the Chinese Association of Notaries Public, having held a discussion on matters concerning use and verification of certificates of authentication across the Taiwan Straits, reached the following agreements:
1. Liaison Subjects
(1) As regards matters concerning the transmittance of duplicates of certificates of authentication and the verification thereof, both parties will contact each other respectively through the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Chinese Association of Notaries Public or the association s of notaries public of relevant Provinces, Autonomies, or Special Cities.
(2) As regards other related matters of this Agreement, contacts are made by the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.
2. Transmittance of Duplicates of Certificates of Authentication
(1) Both parties agree to transmit to each other duplicates of certificates of authentication concerning succession, adoption, marriage, birth, death, mandate, educational background, residence, relatives under maintenance, and evidence of property rights.
(2) Both parties may, according to the need for the use of certificates of
authentication, hold further discussions to increase or decrease the kinds of duplicates of certificates of authentication which will be transmitted.
3. Verification of Certificates of Authentication
(1) Grounds for Verification
If a certificate of authentication falls within any of the following circumstances, both parties shall assist each other in verification:
ⅰ. If it violated the rules concerning jurisdiction of the organ of authentication;
ⅱ. If one and the same matter was authenticated at different organs of authentication;
ⅲ. If the contents of a certificate of authentication do not agree with the household registration data or other data on file;
ⅳ. If the contents of certificate of authentication contradict each other;
ⅴ. If the words, characters, or seals of a certificate of authentication are illegible or there are such suspicious traces as erasures and alteration;
ⅵ. If other different evidence or data exit; and
ⅶ. If there are any other matters that need to be clarified.
(2) Grounds for Refusal
If clear grounds for verification are not stated or other verifying seals have been affixed to the certificate of authentication, the party from whom a verification is requested may refuse the verification with reasons.
(3) Time Limit for Reply
The party from whom a verification is requested shall reply within thirty days from the date of receiving the letter requesting the verification.
(4) Verification Fees
The party who requests a verification shall pay an adequate fee to the party from whom the verification is requested. Standard of verification fees and ways of payment will be settled on through further discussions by both parties.
4. Forms of Documents
When transmitting duplicates of certificates of authentication, requesting verifications, or making replies, appropriate forms of documents shall be used after discussion by both parties.
5. Other Documents
Both parties agree to hold separate discussions on matters concerning verification of documents other than certificates of authentication and render assistance thereon.
6. Performance, Alteration, and Termination of Agreements
Both parties shall comply with agreements. Performance, alteration, or termination of an agreement shall be made with the consent of both parties through discussion.
7. Resolution of Controversies
Both parties shall hold discussions as soon as possible to resolve the controversies arising from the application of this Agreement.
8. Unsettled Matters
If any unsettled matters of this Agreement exist, both parties may, by means of appropriate ways, hold further discussions to settle them.
9. Signing and Commencement of Effect
This Agreement will come into effect and of operation thirty days from the date of signing by both parties.
This Agreement was signed on the twenty-ninth day of April【of the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-three】in four copies and both parties will each hold two copies.
(Signed)
Koo Chen-fu, Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation
Wang Daohan, Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits
Cheyne Chiu
Tang Shubei
4. Agreement on Matters Concerning Inquiry and Compensation for 【Lost】Registered Mail Across the Taiwan Straits
The Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, together with the Postal Specialty Committee of the Chinese Correspondence Society, having held a discussion on matters concerning inquiry and compensation for【lost】registered mail, reached the following agreements:
1. Scope of Operation
Registered mail as refered to in this Agreement means letters, post cards, aerograms, printed matter, newspapers, magazines, and Braille documents. Both parties may increase or decrease the above scope of operation by written agreement.
2. Ways of Contact
As regards inquiry about registered mail, mutual contact is made by the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Postal Specialty Committee of the Chinese Correspondence Society, or the postal handling centers (aviation and postal centers) designated by the latter.
As regards other related matters, mutual contact is made by the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relation Across the Taiwan Strait.
3. Methods of Delivery
Registered mail is delivered and handled by way of a third land.
4. Time Limit for Inquiry
Inquiries about registered mail shall be made within twelve months from the date following the day on which the original sender handed the mail for delivery.
5. Time Limit for Reply
The party who accepts an inquiry shall reply within three months from the date of receiving the inquiring document.
6. Transcribing and Sending Checkup Notes
If one party receives sealed mailbags from the other party and finds any loss or theft of, or damage to, registered mail, he shall immediately transcribe and send a checkup note to the other party for prompt investigation and reply.
7. Each Administers Its Compensation
Any loss or theft of, or damage to, registered mail will be compensated for by the party that initiated the delivery and there will be no mutual settlement of accounts.
8. Forms of Documents
Both parties will each make, by means of printing and in accordance with postal convention, forms of inquiry, checkup notes, letters of reply, and simplified letters for use after mutual approval by both parties.
9. Performance, Alteration, and Termination of Agreements
Both parties shall comply with agreements. Performance, alteration, or termination of an agreement shall be made with the consent of both parties through discussion.
10. Resolution of Controversies
Both parties shall hold discussions as soon as possible to resolve the controversies
arising form the application of this Agreement.
11. Unsettled Matters
If any unsettled matters of this Agreement exist, both parties may, by means of appropriate ways, hold further discussions to settle them.
12. Commencement of Effect and Operation
This Agreement will come into effect and operation thirty days from the date of signing by both parties.
This Agreement was signed on the twenty-ninth day of April【of the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-three】in four copies and both parties will each hold two copies.
(Signed)
Koo Chen-fu, Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation
Wang Daohan, Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits
Cheyne Chiu
Tang Shubei