Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits
Encyclopedia
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) is an organization set up by the People's Republic of China
for handling technical or business matters with the Republic of China
(Taiwan
).
The ROC counterpart to ARATS is the Straits Exchange Foundation
(SEF).
The foundation's founding chairman was former Shanghai mayor Wang Daohan
, honorary chairman Rong Yiren
. Negotiations with SEF stopped in 1999, and after Wang's death in 2005, no new chair was appointed until 2008. Following the election of Ma Ying-jeou
to the presidency in Taiwan
, talks between ARATS and SEF have restarted and progress was made in the areas of transport and economy such as the Three links
in 2008 and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement
in 2010. Chen Yunlin
, who was formerly head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office
, is the current head of ARATS. He has met his counterpart Chiang Pin-kung
in 2008.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
for handling technical or business matters with the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
).
The ROC counterpart to ARATS is the Straits Exchange Foundation
Straits Exchange Foundation
The Straits Exchange Foundation is a semi-official organization set up by the Republic of China government to handle technical or business matters with the People's Republic of China...
(SEF).
The foundation's founding chairman was former Shanghai mayor Wang Daohan
Wang Daohan
Wang Daohan , was the former president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits .-Biography:...
, honorary chairman Rong Yiren
Rong Yiren
Rong Yiren was the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 1998 and was heavily involved with the opening of the Chinese economy to western investment. It is from this second accomplishment, that the western media called him "The Red Capitalist".-Biography:Rong was born in...
. Negotiations with SEF stopped in 1999, and after Wang's death in 2005, no new chair was appointed until 2008. Following the election of Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
to the presidency in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, talks between ARATS and SEF have restarted and progress was made in the areas of transport and economy such as the Three links
Three Links
The Three Links or Three Linkages was a "message of Compatriots in Taiwan" calling for the unification of mainland China and Taiwan. It was sent by the PRC National People's Congress in 1979....
in 2008 and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement
Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is a preferential trade agreement between the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China that aims to reduce tariffs and commercial barriers between the two sides...
in 2010. Chen Yunlin
Chen Yunlin
Chen Yunlin is the current chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits , the body responsible for negotiations with Taiwan in the People's Republic of China.-Biography:...
, who was formerly head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office
Taiwan Affairs Office
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council is an administrative agency under the State Council of the People's Republic of China. It is responsible for setting and implementing guidelines and policies related to Taiwan, as stipulated by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and...
, is the current head of ARATS. He has met his counterpart Chiang Pin-kung
Chiang Pin-kung
Chiang Pin-kung is a politician in the Republic of China on Taiwan. He is currently vice-chairman of the Kuomintang , and chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation .-Biography:...
in 2008.
List of presidents
| Name | Term |
|---|---|
| Wang Daohan Wang Daohan Wang Daohan , was the former president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits .-Biography:... |
1991–2005 |
| vacant | 2005–2008 |
| Chen Yunlin Chen Yunlin Chen Yunlin is the current chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits , the body responsible for negotiations with Taiwan in the People's Republic of China.-Biography:... |
2008–present (incumbent) |
See also
- Taiwan Affairs OfficeTaiwan Affairs OfficeThe Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council is an administrative agency under the State Council of the People's Republic of China. It is responsible for setting and implementing guidelines and policies related to Taiwan, as stipulated by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and...
- Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), TaiwanStraits Exchange FoundationThe Straits Exchange Foundation is a semi-official organization set up by the Republic of China government to handle technical or business matters with the People's Republic of China...
- Economic Cooperation Framework AgreementEconomic Cooperation Framework AgreementThe Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is a preferential trade agreement between the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China that aims to reduce tariffs and commercial barriers between the two sides...