Politics

MAC mulls possibility of ARATS office in Taiwan

MAC Minister Lai Shin-yuan explains July 30 the issues set for discussion at the upcoming cross-strait talks. (Courtesy of MAC)

• Publication Date：07/31/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

The ROC Mainland Affairs Council is reviewing regulations to determine if there is a legal basis for Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland Chinese counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, to establish reciprocal representative offices.

“We are in a preparatory stage as the council is still reviewing the Act Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the People of the Mainland Area and talking with related government agencies on the matter,” MAC Minister Lai Shin-yuan said July 30.

Lai’s remarks came in response to comments the day before by Wang Yi, director of mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, at the closing ceremony of a two-day cross-strait economic, trade and culture forum in Harbin, mainland China.

Wang said that the next stage of Taipei-Beijing exchanges will focus on initiating a cross-strait currency settlement mechanism, opening up trade in services and setting up reciprocal representative offices.

According to Lai, the opening of SEF-ARATS offices is in line with ROC President Ma Ying-jeou’s mainland China policy, but requires further cross-strait consultations and must be handled step by step.

“Taipei and Beijing are working closely to initiate the cross-strait currency settlement mechanism and open trade in services as soon as possible,” Lai said, adding that the latter may take place by year-end.

On the all-important cross-strait investment protection and customs cooperation agreements, Lai said they will be a priority in the upcoming meeting between Chiang Pin-kung and Chen Yunlin, respective SEF and ARATS chairmen, Aug. 8-9 in Taipei City.

“The investment protection pact is an important component of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) as it will institutionalize the dispute resolution process and protect the rights and safety of Taiwan businessmen in mainland China,” Lai said.

A promotional video will be released by the MAC Aug. 1 to heighten public awareness of the need to conclude a cross-strait investment protection agreement.

Since Ma took office in May 2008, Taipei and Beijing have held regular talks through the SEF and ARATS, with meetings alternating twice a year between Taiwan and mainland China. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw