MAC chief tight-lipped on planned meeting with Chinese counterpart
ROC Central News Agency
2014/01/10 16:52:36
Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Wang Yu-chi remained tight-lipped Friday on a planned meeting with his Chinese counterpart although the meeting is expected to take place in February at the earliest.
It will be Wang's first visit to China in his official capacity and the first formal meeting between the two top officials handling ties across the Taiwan Strait.
Wang briefed legislators on his plan in a closed-door meeting, but refused to disclose details to reporters, on the grounds that they are yet to be finalized.
He said the two sides are still discussing the time, venue and agenda of the meeting, and promised that the MAC will release the details to the public as soon as they are settled.
Wang is expected to visit China in the near future, during which he will meet with Zhang Zhijun, the head of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office.
Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, who was also present at Friday's meeting, confirmed to reporters that Wang Yu-chi's China trip has tentatively been set for sometime after the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which begins Jan. 31.
Meanwhile, Zhang told Taiwanese media in Beijing that his meeting with Wang Yu-chi will not take place before the Lunar New Year holiday, saying that the details of the plan will be made public 'at an appropriate time.'
Also Friday, Wang dismissed speculation that there is discord between Taiwan's chief negotiator with China, Lin Join-sane, and his deputy, Kao Koong-lian.
He said the 70-year-old Kao has tendered his resignation as vice chairman and secretary-general of the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation because he wants to rest, not because he does not see eye to eye with Lin, as reported in the media.
(By Chen Wei-ting, Chou Hui-ying, Wen Kuei-hsiang and Y.F. Low)
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