4th round of Taiwan trade talks underway with high hopes
- Source: Global Times
- [03:07 December 22 2009]
- Comments
Chiang Pin-kung (front, L2), chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), poses for photos with Chen Yunlin (front, R2), president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), in Taichung, Taiwan, Dec. 21, 2009(Xinhua Photo)
By Kang Juan
The mainland's chief negotiator for Taiwan affairs arrived in Taiwan Monday for a new round of high-level trade talks, while saying he respected people's right to protest against his visit.
Scholars of the Taiwan issue said demonstrations, which are mainly organized by the pro-independence opposition party in Taiwan, won't disrupt Chen Yunlin's schedule or the development of cross-Straits trade relations.
After waving to hundreds of demonstrators outside the hotel he was staying at in Taichung, Chen spoke about his five-day visit.
"I saw many compatriots who oppose my visit and others who welcome me here to engage in talks for a mutual win-win. I definitely respect the expression of different opinions," Chen said.
A meeting between Chen, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), and Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), is scheduled for today in the central Taiwanese city.
This will be the fourth round of talks since ARATS and SEF, authorized by authorities on the mainland and in Taiwan to handle cross-Straits issues, resumed negotiations in June of last year after a 10-year suspension.
A day before Chen's arrival, the pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), organized a rally in Taichung to protest Chen's visit. The police said the crowd comprised 20,000 to 30,000 people, but the DPP said it was 100,000-strong.
Due to too many demonstrators gathering at Wanhe Palace, Chen's scheduled visit Monday to the famous temple was canceled. The DPP had pledged to mobilize at least 10,000 demonstrators every day to follow Chen during his visit.
