The Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) reelected Chiang Pin-kun
as its chairman yesterday.
Addressing the SEF board meeting after his election, Chiang, who just led the
organization through recent talks with the mainland, said: "the two sides of the
Strait still have a lot to discuss so the SEF and mainland-based Association for
Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) have a lot of work to do," .
The SEF and ARATS agreed at their meeting in Taipei last month to talk about
establishing regular cross-Strait exchanges regarding financial business,
investment, industry and fishing in their next round of talks.
"We will follow the agenda of discussion and try to reach the agreements as
soon as possible," Chiang Pin-kun said.
A date for that meeting has not been set, however, Chiang told the media in
mid-November that it would be held within six months.
"It is a time of opportunity in cross-Strait relations. I believe, through
joint efforts, the two sides will get over ideological differences and
difficulties, expand exchanges and cooperation to reach a new stage of peace and
mutual benefits."
There will be more visits between SEF and ARATS officials. The two
organizations also organized a meeting between experts in various fields from
both sides.
Chiang was appointed chairman in May this year after the SEF was
restructured.
Kao Koong-lian remained SEF vice chairman and secretary general. Fu
Don-cheng, deputy chief of Taiwan's mainland affairs department, and Hsu
Sheng-hsiung, a local tycoon, were elected vice chairmen.