The fourth round of Cross-Strait Talks is set to open next Monday. A central government spokeswoman says the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, or ECFA, will be the key issue for both Mainland and Taiwan delegates during the talks.
At a press conference held in Beijing, spokeswoman Fan Liqing said the Mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president Chen Yunlin and Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman Chiang Pin-Kung will meet in Taichung City from 21st to 25th. They will exchange views on ECFA.
Spokeswoman Fan Liqing said, "It would be an important opportunity for both sides to initiate a formal negotiation within the two organizations."
Fan said the ECFA aims to benefit the economy and livelihoods of people on both sides as well as Cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.
Fan Liqing said, "On the principle of equal and mutual benefit, the mainland would give full consideration to Taiwan's reasonable concerns and the Taiwan people's practical interests."
Fan added the Mainland believed the Taiwan authorities would take necessary measures to maintain security of the talks and the Mainland delegation.
In Taiwan on Tuesday, Taichung police released traffic control information to the public. Police said from the 18th to 24th, any assembly and demonstration activity will be banned in controlled areas.
While the preparations for Chen and Chiang's talks are under way, Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party claimed it will hold a 100-thousand person rally in Taichung. In the meantime, a series of small scale protest activities will be staged.
The SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-Kung and the Mayor of Taichung called for the DPP to consider the best interests of Taiwan people.
