Government and Policy
Cross-Straits negotiators move for free-trade deal
By Xing Zhigang (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-22 16:59
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Chen Yunlin, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), left, and Chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), Chiang Pin-kung, exchange agreements boosting economic cooperation at a signing ceremony on the second day of cross-Straits negotiations in Taichuang, central Taiwan, Tuesday, December 22, 2009. [chinadaily.com.cn/Xing Zhigang] |
TAICHUANG: Top negotiators from both sides decided on Tuesday to officially start the push for a free-trade deal across the Taiwan Straits.
The decision to launch the negotiation for an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) came after Beijing's top envoy Chen Yunlin met his Taiwan counterpart Chiang Pin-kung for their fourth round of talks since June last year.
Chen and Chiang also signed three agreements on labor cooperation in the fishing industry, cooperation in inspection and quarantine of farm produce, and cooperation in standards measuring, inspection and certification.
