China envoy calls for further cooperation with Taiwan
by Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Dec 20, 2010
China's top negotiator for Taiwan Chen Yunlin on Monday called for further cooperation with the island on top of the agreements the two sides have forged over the past two years.
Chen, the head of Beijing's quasi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, flew to the island's capital city for the sixth round of talks since 2008.
During a brief welcoming ceremony for him at a hotel in Taipei, Chen hailed the achievements the two former cross-strait rivals had reached during previous rounds of negotiations.
"The Taiwan Strait used to have high waves, but now it has emerged as a major channel between people on the two sides," said Chen.
The first day was marked by sporadic demonstrations organised by radical groups who advocate the island's independence from the mainland and have vowed to follow Chen "every step of the way" during his stay.
TV footage showed that a small group of independence supporters waited for him in the terminal building, as his plane touched down at Taoyuan International Airport outside Taipei.
The moment he stepped out of his limousine, a young pro-independence activist abruptly shouted at him, saying "Taiwan, China, each is an independent country!" The man was immediately taken away by police.
Near Chen's hotel dozens of independence sympathisers chanted slogans against talks between Beijing and Taipei led by President Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party.
"All Ma wants to do is to sell out Taiwan's interest. Therefore any agreements he forges with China will by no means be endorsed by us," said Tsai Ting-kui, the leader of the crowd.
Chen is scheduled to meet his Taiwanese counterpart for talks on Tuesday. Each represents an organisation in charge of exchanges between Beijing and Taipei in the absence of official contact.
"The massive exchanges of visits by the people from the two sides have highlighted the necessity of signing such an agreement," Chen said.
The talks will focus on epidemic-control measures and joint research and development of medicines, herbal medicines and emergency treatment, with Chen expected to return to the mainland on Wednesday.
Ties have improved markedly since Ma came to power in May 2008, with the two sides resuming routine high-level direct unofficial talks and adopting various measures to boost trade and tourism.
Taipei and Beijing forged a comprehensive trade pact in June, known as the "Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement".
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Taiwan independence groups to follow China envoy everywhere
Taipei (AFP) Dec 16, 2010
Radical Taiwanese independence groups Thursday vowed to follow China's top negotiator "every step of the way" when he visits the island next week, showing their anger in a series of protests.
Chen Yunlin, the head of China's quasi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, is scheduled to fly to the island Monday for the sixth round of talks since 2008.
"We will follow ... read more
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