ARATS chief arrives in Taiwan on historic visit

Chen Yunlin (R Center), president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), arrives at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin arrived in Taiwan on Nov. 3 for a five-day trip. (Xinhua Photo)

Chen Yunlin (R Front), president of the Chinese mainland's Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), delivers a speech during the welcoming ceremony held by Chiang Pin-kung (2nd L Front), chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), in Taipei of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 3, 2008. Chen Yunlin arrived in Taiwan on Nov. 3 for a five-day trip. (Xinhua Photo)

TAIPEI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) chief Chen Yunlin arrived in Taipei on Monday at the start of a five-day visit to Taiwan.

Chen's visit marks the first ever meeting between leaders of the ARATS and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in Taiwan.

On Tuesday morning, Chen is expected to hold talks with SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung, the second meeting between them in less than six months.

Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-strait civilian exchanges. Negotiations were suspended for almost 10 years till June, when Chen and Chiang held their first meeting in Beijing.

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chen Yunlin, chief of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), left Beijing Monday morning for Taipei on a five-day visit. He is the first ARATS chief to visit the island.

Chen is expected to meet with Chiang Pin-kun, chief of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). It will be the second meeting between ARATS and SEF heads in almost 10 years. The first was held in Beijing in June. Full story

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin on Thursday expressed optimism about the prospect of cross-Strait tourism.

Chen expressed belief in a group interview with Taiwan media that with concerted efforts from both mainland and Taiwan, the potential of cross-Strait tourism would be fully tapped. Full story

BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chiang Pin-kung said the mainland delegation's visit to the island would be of historic significance.

The Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president Chen Yunlin will lead a delegation to Taiwan from Nov. 3 to 7, the first meeting on the island between the two parties. Full story

TAIPEI, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven industrial and commercial associations in Taiwan on Tuesday voiced support and welcome for the visit of mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president Chen Yunlin.

The associations said in a joint statement that although different parties on the island hold different opinions about Chen's visit, the associations, concerned about Taiwan's economic development, want to express support to the authority's invitation of Chen to have dialogue.