The Chinese mainland and Taiwan have signed three new agreements on furthering cross-Strait economic development.
The deals were concluded during the latest round of cross-Strait talks, held in the city of Taichung, in central Taiwan.
A step forward in cross-Strait economic ties.
ARATS President Chen Yunlin and SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung signed three agreements on Tuesday.
One of the deals concerns the fishing industry.
Under the terms of the arrangement, the two sides agree to cooperate in off-shore and deep-sea fishing.
The deal also takes into account the protection of fishermen's interests.
Meanwhile, the agreement also addresses ways of resolving labor disputes in the industry.
Chen Yunlin (L, front), president of the mainland's Association for Relations
Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), and Chiang Pin-kung (R, front), chairman
of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), sign agreements in Taichung,
southeast China's Taiwan, Dec. 22, 2009. Chinese mainland and Taiwan
negotiators reached three agreements on fishing, farm produce and standards
measuring on Tuesday.(Photo:Chinataiwan)
In addition, both the mainland and Taiwan have pledged to work together on inspections and quarantines of farm produce.
The two sides agreed to set up a communication mechanism, and to conduct technological cooperation to ensure the safety of agricultural products.
They also agreed to establish an emergency response system to inform one another of epidemic outbreaks related to farm produce, and to report regularly on safety problems.
The mainland and Taiwan further promised to deal with different product quality standards.
They will establish an information-sharing platform on product safety.
The two sides will also join together to push forward a new product certification system.
Zheng Lizhong, ARARS Vice President, said, "The mainland and Taiwan have reached nine agreements and one memorandum of understanding since June. The topics include travel, shipping, postal services and investment. The implementation of the agreements helps push forward the process of peaceful cross-Strait development. The results have earned the support of the public on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as recognition by the international community. "
SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kun also spoke highly of the results produced at the talks.
Chiang Pin-kun, SEF Chairman, said, "Both the mainland and Taiwan believe that the signing of the three agreements will benefit the people. The signing of the agreements also reflects the principle of "the economy first" in dealing with cross-Strait relations. This is a step forward in cross-Strait ties."
The negotiators also agreed to hold their next round of talks during the first half of 2010 on the mainland.
They expressed the hope that the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and the protection of intellectual property rights will be major topics of discussion at their next round of negotiations.
