Lobbying follows Chen's plan to pursue direct links

During the Koo-Wang talks of 1993 and 1998, the SEF and ARATS reached agreements on mutual recognition of notarized documents, procedures for the return of illegal immigrants, and postal inspection. Each agreement stipulates the basic rights of the people of the two sides.

"The Chinese authorities, however, do not always abide by their agreements," Chang noted.

According to SEF Secretary-General Shi Hwei-yow (許惠祐), between last December and May 20 this year, the Chinese association of documentary notarization rejected 3,849 notarized documents bearing the ROC seal, which it had never done before last December.

"If the Chinese authorities can unilaterally refuse to abide by agreements that they have signed with the SEF, they may very well do so with any other private body," said SEF Deputy Secretary-General Jan Jyh-horng (詹志宏).