Mainland top negotiator visits Taiwan

Chen Yunlin, the top negotiator of the Chinese mainland on cross-Strait affairs, arrived in Taipei on Monday, kicking off a 10-day visit to Taiwan designed to expand cultural cooperation between the two sides.

Chen, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), held a meeting with Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in the Grand Hotel of Taipei.

Chiang said that cultural and creative industries are an important part of the overall economic development plans both in Taiwan and the mainland, and the two sides not only share Chinese culture but also the common goal of developing cultural and creative industries.

He expressed the hope that Chen's visit will expand cross-Strait cultural exchanges and help develop the cultural and creative industries of the two sides, which will bring the people closer and contribute to peace and development across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen, for his part, said that cultural and creative industries have great potential for development, especially when the world economy faces severe challenges.

These industries in the mainland and Taiwan have complementary competitive advantages and the two sides can achieve a win-win situation through cooperation, he added.

According to the ARATS president, his delegation is made up of two groups. One, consisting of policy-makers, academics and experts, will try to identify potential areas for cross-Strait cooperation in creative and cultural industries and review the policies that currently govern such activities.

This group will also prepare for cross-Strait negotiations on cooperation in the broader service sector between the two sides, and meetings which are expected to start later this year.

The second group of Chen's delegation comprises famous painters, calligraphers and promising young artists from the mainland, who will meet with their Taiwanese counterparts.

Chen said such high-level exchanges can build a bridge of communication for people across the Taiwan Strait.

According to his schedule, Chen and his delegation will travel extensively on the island, visiting places ranging from New Taipei City in the north to the southern resort town of Kenting.

During the visit, a forum will be held on promoting cross-Strait cooperation on cultural and creative industries and another session is planned for artists from the mainland and Taiwan to engage in discussions.

It is Chen's second visit to Taiwan in just over a month. He paid a three-day visit to the island in August and held the eighth round of talks between the ARATS and the SEF since regular cross-Strait talks resumed in 2008.

As a result of the talks, Chen and Chiang signed two key agreements on investment protection and customs cooperation.

Founded in 1991 and 1990, respectively, the ARATS and the SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Strait affairs.