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 (
"We hope Lee's example will encourage other Taiwanese businesspeople in China to come home to give food back to their homeland," he added.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
The Taipei Summer Festival is to begin tomorrow at Dadaocheng Wharf (大稻埕), featuring four themed firework shows and five live music performances throughout the month, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said today. The festival in the city’s Datong District (大同) is to run until Aug. 30, holding firework displays on Wednesdays and the final Saturday of the event. The first show is scheduled for tomorrow, followed by Aug. 13, 20 and 30. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Disney Pixar's movie Toy Story, the festival has partnered with Walt Disney Co (Taiwan) to host a special themed area on
BE CAREFUL: The virus rarely causes severe illness or death, but newborns, older people and those with medical conditions are at risk of more severe illness As more than 7,000 cases of chikungunya fever have been reported in China’s Guangdong Province this year, including 2,892 new cases last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said it is monitoring the situation and considering raising the travel notice level, which might be announced today. The CDC issued a level 1 travel notice, or “watch,” for Guangdong Province on July 22, citing an outbreak in Foshan, a manufacturing hub in the south of the province, that was reported early last month. Between July 27 and Saturday, the province reported 2,892 new cases of chikungunya, reaching a total of 7,716
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
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