Cross-Straits chiefs agree to regular communication
Updated: 2014-02-11 21:56
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
Zhang Zhijun (R), head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, shakes hands with Wang Yu-chi, Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, before their formal meeting, in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 11, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua] |
NANJING - The Chinese mainland and Taiwan on Tuesday agreed to regular communication between their cross-Straits affairs departments.
The arrangement was announced after a meeting between Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (SCTAO), and Wang Yu-chi, Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, who arrived in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, on Tuesday morning for a four-day visit.
Their meeting was the first between cross-Strait affairs chiefs since 1949.
The two sides agreed to promote cross-Straits relations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus and expect the communication mechanism to improve exchanges, understanding and mutual trust, said an SCTAO statement.
The new arrangement will not replace talks between the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and its Taiwan counterpart the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), which focus on detailed affairs, nor will it change the way other departments interact with each other.
Official visits by members of cross-Straits affair departments will increase. Zhang has accepted Wang's invitation to visit Taiwan, according to the SCTAO.
The political basis for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is to oppose Taiwan's independence and adhere to the 1992 Consensus, said Zhang at the meeting.
He urged sticking to these tenets, progressing through cooperation, and breaking down barriers.
The two sides agreed to push forward follow-up agreements to the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, explore practical ways to jointly develop their economy, and join in regional cooperation.
They agreed to allow ARATS and SEF to exchange offices "as early as possible" and promote cultural, education and scientific exchange.
The two sides will also try to settle a health insurance issue for college students studying on the other side of the Strait.
Related:
Cross-Straits affairs chiefs hold first formal meeting
Mainland tourists to Taiwan hits new high
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Games bid to boost winter sports |
Sochi Olympics |
Professionals find appetite for etiquette |
Uphill task in fight against child sex abuse |
Bittersweet Spring Festival |
Social insurance program leaves expats confused |
Today's Top News
Kerry seeks to 'rule out' possibility of conflict
Official cars to be auctioned in NE China city
Joint operation ensnares poachers
Family-raised poultry rises as new H7N9 source
China's largest private charity elects new chiefs
Sanya orders ban on naked beachgoers
Test to predict corrupt tendencies
Li hears opinions on govt report
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |