Max The Boss
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Fastest Growing China and Taiwan Relations
Resumption of high level contact from 2008
A series of meetings between the two sides have followed. On April 12, 2008, China president Hu Jintao held meetings with Taiwans vice-president elect Vincent Siew as chairman of the Cross-strait Common Market Foundation during the Boao Forum for Asia. On May 28, 2008, Hu Jintao met with KMT chairman Wu Po-hsiung, the first meeting between the heads of the CPC and the KMT as ruling parties. During this meeting, Hu and Wu agreed that both sides should recommence semi-official dialogue under the 1992 consensus. Wu committed the KMT against Taiwanese independence, but also stressed that a "Taiwan identity" did not equate to "Taiwanese independence". Hu committed his government to addressing the concerns of the Taiwanese people in regard to security, dignity, and "international living space", with a priority given to discussing Taiwan's wish to participate in the World Health Organization.
Both Hu Jintao and his new counterpart Ma Ying-jeou agree that the 1992 Consensus is the basis for negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. (1992 Consensus sees both sides recognize there is only one China)
Inter-government - Semi-governmental contact is maintained through the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS). Negotiations between the SEF and the ARATS resumed on 11 June 2008.
The first priority for the SEF-ARATS meeting will be opening of the three links, especially direct flights between China and Taiwan. Dialogue through semi-official organizations (the SEF and the ARATS) reopened on June 12, 2008 on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, with the first meeting held in Beijing. Chen Yunlin, President of the ARATS, and Chiang Pin-kung, President of the SEF, signed files on June 13, agreeing that direct flights between the two sides would begin on July 4 and that Taiwan would allow entrance of up to 3000 visitors from China every day.
From 2008 - Initiate direct passenger airline services every weekend from 4 July 2008. Both parties agreed to negotiate on the routes of cross-strait direct flights and establish direct communication procedures concerning air traffic management systems as soon as possible. But before the routes of direct flights are finalized, charter flights may temporarily fly across Hong Kong Flight Information Region. There is no need to stop in Hong Kong, but planes still have to fly through its airspace. Weekend charter flights shall fly from each Friday to the following Monday for a total of four full days.
China agreed to open the following five cities as destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Nanjing. China shall open Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Dalian, Guilin, Shenzhen and other destinations later on and other cities if so demanded by the market.
Taiwan agreed to open the following eight cities as destinations: Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taipei, Penghu, Hualien, Kinmen and Taitung.
Opening Taiwan to Chinese tourists. Both parties agreed that Chinese tourists must travel to the Taiwan in groups. Tourists must enter into, visit, and exit from Taiwan in groups. The maximum quota of tourists received by the party responsible for tourist reception shall not exceed the average of 3,000 persons per day, and each group shall consist of a minimum of ten persons and forty persons at the maximum, being in Taiwan for a maximum of ten days.
On 4 November 2008, ARATS and SEF signed a number of agreements in Taipei. The agreement relating to direct passenger flights increased the number of charter flights from 36 to 108 per week, operating daily instead of the four days a week previously. Flights would now operate to and from 21 Chinese cities. Flights would also take a more direct route. Private business jet flights would also be allowed. The agreement relating to cargo shipping allowed direct shipping between 11 sea ports in Taiwan and 63 in China. The shipping would be tax free. The agreement relating to cargo flights provided for up to 60 direct cargo flights per month. Finally, an agreement was made to set up food safety alerts between the two sides.
April 26, 2009 China and Taiwan signed three agreements that will enhance economic ties. Three agreements signed at a meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing. First agreement will enable financial services firms to establish branches in each other's territory and allows for the creation of a currency clearing mechanism. Second agreement was signed to increase the frequency of direct flights from 108 to 270 flights a week and open new routes to Taiwan from Six Chinese cities. A third agreement was signed to permit cooperation in criminal investigations.
Negotiators also started to pave the way for investment by Chinese companies to be allowed in Taiwan and Taiwanese companies to be allowed in China. The next round of meetings is scheduled to be held in Taipei in the latter half of the year.
Cross-strait investments have greatly increased in recent years. Predominantly, this involves Taiwan-based firms moving to, or collaborating in joint ventures, in China. The collective body of Taiwanese investors in China is now a significant economic force for both China and Taiwan.
Inter-marriage between the two sides has increased in recent years. New couples eventually settling in China or Taiwan.
With the help of China, Taiwan recently admitted as WHO observer under the name of Chinese Taipei. In addition, China Navy (PLAN) recently successfully saved a cargo ship of Taiwan from Somali pirates attack.
According to an opinion poll released by the Mainland Affairs Council taken after the second 2008 meeting, 71.79% of the Taiwanese public supports continuing negotiations and solving issues between the two sides through the semi-official organizations SEF and ARATS.
Cultural exchanges have increased in frequency. The National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Palace Museum in Beijing have collaborated on exhibitions. Scholars and academics frequently visit institutions on the other side. Books published on each side are regularly re-published in the other side.
Students of Taiwan origin receive special concessions in the National Higher Education Entrance Examination in China.
Religious exchange has become frequent. Frequent interactions occur between worshippers of Matsu.
The China and Taiwan have provided humanitarian aid to each other on several occasions. Most recently, following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, an expert search and rescue team was sent from Taiwan to help rescue survivors in Sichuan. Shipments of aid material were also provided under the co-ordination of the Red Cross Society of Taiwan and charities such as Tzu Chi.
Resumption of high level contact from 2008
A series of meetings between the two sides have followed. On April 12, 2008, China president Hu Jintao held meetings with Taiwans vice-president elect Vincent Siew as chairman of the Cross-strait Common Market Foundation during the Boao Forum for Asia. On May 28, 2008, Hu Jintao met with KMT chairman Wu Po-hsiung, the first meeting between the heads of the CPC and the KMT as ruling parties. During this meeting, Hu and Wu agreed that both sides should recommence semi-official dialogue under the 1992 consensus. Wu committed the KMT against Taiwanese independence, but also stressed that a "Taiwan identity" did not equate to "Taiwanese independence". Hu committed his government to addressing the concerns of the Taiwanese people in regard to security, dignity, and "international living space", with a priority given to discussing Taiwan's wish to participate in the World Health Organization.
Both Hu Jintao and his new counterpart Ma Ying-jeou agree that the 1992 Consensus is the basis for negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. (1992 Consensus sees both sides recognize there is only one China)
Inter-government - Semi-governmental contact is maintained through the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS). Negotiations between the SEF and the ARATS resumed on 11 June 2008.
The first priority for the SEF-ARATS meeting will be opening of the three links, especially direct flights between China and Taiwan. Dialogue through semi-official organizations (the SEF and the ARATS) reopened on June 12, 2008 on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, with the first meeting held in Beijing. Chen Yunlin, President of the ARATS, and Chiang Pin-kung, President of the SEF, signed files on June 13, agreeing that direct flights between the two sides would begin on July 4 and that Taiwan would allow entrance of up to 3000 visitors from China every day.
From 2008 - Initiate direct passenger airline services every weekend from 4 July 2008. Both parties agreed to negotiate on the routes of cross-strait direct flights and establish direct communication procedures concerning air traffic management systems as soon as possible. But before the routes of direct flights are finalized, charter flights may temporarily fly across Hong Kong Flight Information Region. There is no need to stop in Hong Kong, but planes still have to fly through its airspace. Weekend charter flights shall fly from each Friday to the following Monday for a total of four full days.
China agreed to open the following five cities as destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Nanjing. China shall open Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Dalian, Guilin, Shenzhen and other destinations later on and other cities if so demanded by the market.
Taiwan agreed to open the following eight cities as destinations: Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taipei, Penghu, Hualien, Kinmen and Taitung.
Opening Taiwan to Chinese tourists. Both parties agreed that Chinese tourists must travel to the Taiwan in groups. Tourists must enter into, visit, and exit from Taiwan in groups. The maximum quota of tourists received by the party responsible for tourist reception shall not exceed the average of 3,000 persons per day, and each group shall consist of a minimum of ten persons and forty persons at the maximum, being in Taiwan for a maximum of ten days.
On 4 November 2008, ARATS and SEF signed a number of agreements in Taipei. The agreement relating to direct passenger flights increased the number of charter flights from 36 to 108 per week, operating daily instead of the four days a week previously. Flights would now operate to and from 21 Chinese cities. Flights would also take a more direct route. Private business jet flights would also be allowed. The agreement relating to cargo shipping allowed direct shipping between 11 sea ports in Taiwan and 63 in China. The shipping would be tax free. The agreement relating to cargo flights provided for up to 60 direct cargo flights per month. Finally, an agreement was made to set up food safety alerts between the two sides.
April 26, 2009 China and Taiwan signed three agreements that will enhance economic ties. Three agreements signed at a meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing. First agreement will enable financial services firms to establish branches in each other's territory and allows for the creation of a currency clearing mechanism. Second agreement was signed to increase the frequency of direct flights from 108 to 270 flights a week and open new routes to Taiwan from Six Chinese cities. A third agreement was signed to permit cooperation in criminal investigations.
Negotiators also started to pave the way for investment by Chinese companies to be allowed in Taiwan and Taiwanese companies to be allowed in China. The next round of meetings is scheduled to be held in Taipei in the latter half of the year.
Cross-strait investments have greatly increased in recent years. Predominantly, this involves Taiwan-based firms moving to, or collaborating in joint ventures, in China. The collective body of Taiwanese investors in China is now a significant economic force for both China and Taiwan.
Inter-marriage between the two sides has increased in recent years. New couples eventually settling in China or Taiwan.
With the help of China, Taiwan recently admitted as WHO observer under the name of Chinese Taipei. In addition, China Navy (PLAN) recently successfully saved a cargo ship of Taiwan from Somali pirates attack.
According to an opinion poll released by the Mainland Affairs Council taken after the second 2008 meeting, 71.79% of the Taiwanese public supports continuing negotiations and solving issues between the two sides through the semi-official organizations SEF and ARATS.
Cultural exchanges have increased in frequency. The National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Palace Museum in Beijing have collaborated on exhibitions. Scholars and academics frequently visit institutions on the other side. Books published on each side are regularly re-published in the other side.
Students of Taiwan origin receive special concessions in the National Higher Education Entrance Examination in China.
Religious exchange has become frequent. Frequent interactions occur between worshippers of Matsu.
The China and Taiwan have provided humanitarian aid to each other on several occasions. Most recently, following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, an expert search and rescue team was sent from Taiwan to help rescue survivors in Sichuan. Shipments of aid material were also provided under the co-ordination of the Red Cross Society of Taiwan and charities such as Tzu Chi.