Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), addresses a press conference in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, Oct. 18, 2011, introducing the upcoming 7th talks between mainland and Taiwan negotiators. Negotiators from the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and Taiwan's SEF will hold talks from Oct. 19 to 21 in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)
TAIPEI -- Chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chiang Pin-kung said on Tuesday at a press conference that the cross-Strait peace is hard-earned and should be treasured.
Chiang will lead a delegation to arrive in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Wednesday.
Chen Yunlin, president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung will on Thursday have their seventh round of talks since the two organizations resumed talks in June 2008.
He said that the last three years have been the most peaceful period for the cross-Strait relations in the past 60 years, in which the ARATS and the SEF have signed 15 agreements and "we have seen the all-around 'peace bonus' brought by the improvement of the cross-Strait relations."
The ARATS and the SEF are expected to sign a cross-Strait nuclear power security cooperation agreement at the upcoming talks, according to Chiang.
"The agreement was not listed on the negotiation agenda during the last round of talks. However the strong earthquake on March 11 in Japan led to serious radioactive leaks which severely affected people's lives and health," he said.
Chiang said that both sides have nuclear power plants, so it is necessary to establish a nuclear power security mechanism to make people across the Strait feel more reassured about their safety.
The ARATS and SEF will also exchange views on the implementation of the signed agreements and on the agendas for the future talks.
Chiang also said that remarkable progress has been achieved in the negotiation for a cross-Strait investment protection agreement. The two sides have basically reached consensus on the main content of the agreement.
But both sides have agreed to continue negotiations, as the agreement covers a wide scope and there are some differences in regulations and procedures between the two sides which require more communication, he said.
He added that the ARATS and SEF will exchange views on industrial cooperation as well, as industries on the two sides of the Strait are complementary. Industrial cooperation will help accelerate industry upgrading and enhance international competitiveness on both sides.
