During talks between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and the mainland’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait in Beijing June 2008, the two sides agreed to exchange representative offices. If realized, the move is seen as a first step toward establishing permanent offices across the strait.
In keeping with the principle of reciprocity, the two offices, which are overseen by the Taipei-based Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and Beijing’s Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association respectively, are expected to open on the same day.
Given that TSTA is a quasi-official organization representing Taiwan in negotiations on cross-strait tourism affairs, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has tapped Yang Ruey-tzhong, former chief of the Cabinet’s Third Directorate, to lead its Beijing office. Yang will also become the first government official to be stationed in mainland China.
Fan Liching, spokeswoman for mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said exchanging representative offices on either side of the strait is of great significance. “The move is conducive to facilitating future cross-strait development.”
Previously, ARATS Vice President Zheng Lizhong advocated establishing permanent offices on each side of the strait. “Such matters should be discussed during cross-strait talks,” he said. “We believe the initiative augurs well for the future of cross-strait relations.”
According to sources close to the government, exchanging permanent offices has remained a priority issue since the SEF and ARATS resumed institutionalized talks in May 2008.
“Considering the questions of legal status, delegation level and the function of such a representative office, a great deal of technical detail remains to be sorted out for both sides if the offices are to be formed,” they added.
“The establishment of tourism offices can be regarded as a step toward achieving long-term goals,” the sources said. “Establishing mutual trust, shelving disputes, setting aside differences are key when it comes to deepening the development of cross-strait ties.” (CYH-JSM)