ONE: PREAMBLE
1. At the 6th Chiang-Chen Talks held in Taipei on December 21, 2010, the SEF and the ARATS signed the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Cooperation agreement and proceeded to exchange perspectives on several key issues regarding the scope and proposed topics of the upcoming 7th Chiang-Chen Talks.
2. Given its high complexity and the range of fields involved, the Cross-Strait Investment Protection Agreement, a major topic of discussion during the 6th Chiang-Chen Talks, gained only a preliminary consensus regarding more time and deliberation, and was listed as a preferential issue for the next round of negotiations. In terms of ongoing negotiations, the SEF and the ARATS had concurred in dealing with issues related to the implementation of the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in a constructive way, which included terms of trade for goods, the trade of services and a dispute-settlement mechanism. In order to pave the way for future strategic industry cooperation and to reconcile derivative problems during the process, both parties have also agreed to establish an Economic Cooperation Committee and a working group responsible for implementing cross-strait industry cooperation..
3. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, triggered by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated Japan earlier this year in March, has led the SEF proposing the drafting of a Cross-Strait Nuclear Power Safety Cooperation Agreement; the ARATS consented to include the issue as a preferential topic in the next round of negotiations.
4. Upon the end of negotiations and in-depth discussions of the upcoming schedule and agenda, both parties agreed to meet again during the 7th Chiang-Chen Talks in Tianjin, China from October 19th through 21st towards the end of this year.

TWO: ITIENERARY
Led by SEF Vice Secretary-general Kao Wen-cheng, a preliminary delegation tasked with completing the preparatory work prior to the 7th Chiang-Chen Talks landed in Tianjin on Oct. 16, 2011. The formal delegation headed by SEF Chairman Chiang arrived in Tianjin on Oct. 19 for a three-day stay before returning to the Taoyuan International Airport on Oct. 21, 2011. During their 50-hour trip in China, the SEF delegation met with ARATS President Chen Yunlin and Vice President Zheng Lizhong, Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang Yi and Tianjin Committee Secretary Zhang Gaoli, confirmed the text of the Cross-strait Agreement on Nuclear Power Safety Cooperation and reached a preliminary consensus concerning a possible cross-strait investment protection agreement and closer cross-strait cooperation industry collaboration. Details of the Oct. 19-21 trip are listed as below:
1. Preparatory Talks: SEF Vice Chairman Kao and ARATS Vice President Zheng hold a final round of preparatory talks at 3:30 PM on Oct. 19, 2011.
2. High-level Meeting: SEF Chairman Chiang and ARATS President Chen jointly hold the 7th Chiang-Chen Talks at 9:00 AM on Oct. 20, 2011.
3. Agreement-signing Ceremony: SEF Chairman Chiang and ARATS President Chen sign the Cross-Strait Nuclear Power Safety Cooperation Agreement at 2:30 PM on Oct. 20, 2011.
4. Press Conference: SEF and ARATS delegates hold two press conferences for foreign journalists and domestic media representatives at 3:00 PM on Oct. 20, 2011.
5. Meetings:
(1) Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang Yi meets with the SEF delegation at the Tianjin Guest Hotel at 4:30 PM on Oct. 20, 2011.
(2) Tianjin Committee Secretary Zhang Gaoli, Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang and ARATS President Chen meet with the SEF delegation at the Renaissance Lakeview Hotel at 11:30 AM on Oct. 21, 2011.

THREE: DETAILS OF THE SIGNED AGREEMENTS AND CONSENSUS
1. The Implementation of an Institutionalized Mechanism for Cross-Strait Negotiations
The signing of 16 agreements and the declaration of 3 joint consensuses between both the parties within a period of three years has attained fruitful results, a fact that signifies how institutionalized negotiations between the SEF and the ARATS have entered a stage of normality and maturity. Not only has institutionalized dialogue become the most effective mechanism in dealing with cross-strait affairs, it has also contributed substantially to resolving problems by functioning as a catalyst for broadening cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and laying a solid foundation for mutual trust and beneficial relations. Shortly put, 3 years of institutionalized negotiations and communications have gone beyond being simply a healthy indicator of progressive development across the Taiwan Strait – they have become a true precursor to long-term peace and regional prosperity.

2. The Cross-Strait Nuclear Power Safety Cooperation Agreement
To protect the environment as well as human lives, health and property, “Nuclear Safety is Borderless” and “Safety Above All Else” are the two main principles that guide the global usage of nuclear power. Through this agreement, officials responsible for nuclear safety on both sides of the strait can establish a communicative platform to share research and experiences. Moreover, the nuclear power plant accident emergency reporting mechanism, which has been established according to the signed agreement, will reduce possible adverse effects and protect the safety of people and their assets in case a nuclear disaster breaks out.

3. The Cross-Strait Investment Protection Agreement
(1) Negotiations concerning a possible cross-strait investment protection agreement have achieved considerable progress over the past year, and both parties have issued a joint statement reflecting a preliminary consensus on the agreement’s objectives and contents.
(2) Due to the number of fields, business technicalities and the different management systems involved, the SEF and the ARATS will continue to negotiate and finalize the text of the cross-strait investment protection agreement.

4. Strengthening Cross-Strait Industry Cooperation
(1) Both parties have issued a joint statement concerning the preliminary consensus on strengthening cross-strait industry cooperation, identifying potential collaboration areas such as improving the cross-strait investment environment, leveraging individual advantages for mutually beneficial outcomes, researching new market potential, expanding the scope of industry cooperation, devoting more resources towards innovation, grooming local brands for global dominance, fostering industrial transformation in traditional sectors and raising the overall level of competitiveness – all in the hope of bolstering cross-strait economies.
(2) With the intent of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and creating more jobs, both parties have agreed to cooperate in most major economic categories and to reconcile derivative problems in a constructive way. Furthermore a cross-strait industry cooperation forum will be constituted periodically to enhance future exchanges and to promote mutual understanding. On the basis of previous commitments, the SEF and the ARATS will also work to improve the horizon and efficiency of industry cooperation in order to vitalize cross-strait economies.

5. Arrangements for Future Cross-Strait Negotiations
With regards to future negotiations, the SEF and the ARATS have both pledged to advance post-ECFA negotiations in the upcoming 8th Chiang-Chen Talks and to complete the details as soon as possible. Key issues such as potential cross-strait customs cooperation can be listed as a preferential topic, in which a formal agreement can be immediately signed following a joint consensus from both parties.

6. Reviewing the Implementation and Outcomes of Previous Agreements
(1) Given the high level of concern on both sides, several major topics were reviewed and discussed during these talks. Regarding the number of tour groups from mainland China and the passenger identity inspection procedures, the SEF pointed out that there was still plenty of room for improvement. Through ongoing communication and talks with the ARATS, SEF officials also noted that the responsibility and the expected reimbursement involving high-profile events such as food safety and the expatriation of major financial criminals will be settled soon in a constructive way.
(2) Furthermore, both parties have reviewed the milestones achieved during the ongoing post-ECFA negotiations, including the trading of goods and services and a establishing a mechanism for the settlement of commercial disputes. With an eye on future cooperation, the SEF and ARATS will expedite related post-ECFA negotiations in order to secure all possible win-win agreements.

FOUR: CONCLUSION
The SEF and ARATS have held seven talks, signed 16 agreements and announced three joint consensuses after the restoration of high-level bilateral talks in June 2008, a bold move that has now laid a solid foundation for safeguarding people’s rights and interests while establishing positive progress in terms of communication and understanding. The SEF-ARATS institutionalized negotiations, which have successfully reconciled the tense situation across the Taiwan Strait, can be considered an indicator of positive, stable development in the once-rocky cross-strait relationship. Such efforts would not only allow both parties to accumulate mutual trust but also gain reciprocity and beneficial outcomes.
Regarding the 7th Chiang-Chen Talks and the mandate of our government, the SEF has followed the principle of “prioritizing Taiwan and benefiting our people,” as proclaimed by President Ma Ying-jeou, and focus on “national needs, public supports, congressional supervision,” as declared by Premier Wu Den-yih. Last but not the least, the SEF will, continue conducting future high-level talks with the ARATS on the basis of rationality, peace, equality and dignity.
In the future, the SEF will continue to promote cross-strait talks, exchanges and services based upon the policy of “negotiating on an equal basis, serving the people and making systematic progress.” With a three-year record of innovations and breakthroughs, both sides should continue to strive to cooperate together, create win-win situations, benefit the public and usher forth a new period of prosperity. Together, the SEF and the ARATS will find ways to establish another “Golden Decade” in Taiwan, to bring peacetime stability and economic prosperity to citizens from both sides of the strait and to secure a bright future for the generations to come.