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SEF chairman calls for improved cross-strait exchanges

Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) yesterday said he hoped China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) could work with the foundation to create a "communications platform," without specifying what, specifically, he meant.

Chang made the remarks when discussing the prospects for cross-strait relations next year at a press conference.

"I urge China to initiate the establishment of a cross-strait `communication platform' based on humane considerations. Through this `platform,' the two associations could deal with emergencies and provide assistance to those in need," Chang said.

Since 1999, the SEF and ARATS have had no official dialogue, and messages sent by fax or post are the only contacts between the organizations.

Chang said he felt this situation damaged the interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and said he expected Chinese authorities could recognize this and help build a "platform" free of politics or ideology.

SEF Secretary-General You Ying-lung (游盈隆) also said that next year marks the 20th anniversary of the initiation of interaction and exchanges between Taiwan and China, and the foundation would hold a series of academic symposiums to examine the development of cross-strait relations over the last two decades.

When asked about a recent personnel reshuffle at ARATS, You said the foundation respected China's arrangement of personnel matters, and that he hoped it would bring a fresh approach.

You said a businessman who became wealthy in China by producing tinplate and cans is coming home to invest in Taiwan.

Lee Jung-fu (李榮福), former chief of a Taiwanese businessperson's association in Changchou (漳州), Fujian Province, has almost finished his preparations for investing in Taiwan, You said.

"We hope Lee's example will encourage other Taiwanese businesspeople in China to come home to give food back to their homeland," he added.
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