MAC head expects more exchanges with China after milestone visit

ROC Central News Agency

2014/02/14 17:58:01

Taipei, Feb. 14 (CNA) Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Wang Yu-chi said Friday that he looks forward to more substantial exchanges across the Taiwan Strait after his just-concluded trip to China, which he described as 'satisfactory and smooth.'

'This trip marks a milestone in cross-strait exchanges,' Wang said. 'We will continue to push for the institutionalization of cross-strait ties based on this foundation.'

He made the remarks at a press conference in Taipei after returning from a four-day trip to Nanjing and Shanghai, the first-ever visit to China by the top official responsible for Taiwan's relations with China in an official capacity.

In a groundbreaking Feb. 11 meeting in Nanjing, Wang and his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Affairs Office, addressed each other by their official titles, a move applauded by many, including Su Tseng-chang, chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which is known for being wary of ties with Beijing.

The two ministers met again in a Shanghai hotel Feb. 13, where they exchanged views on the possibility of holding a presidential summit between the two sides.

During his trip, Wang also visited the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum and Nanjing University.

(By Lee Hsin-Yin)
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