Date: August 8, 1994 
Place: Taipei 

Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Vice Chairman and Secretary-general Chiao Jen-ho and Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Permanent Vice Chairman Tang Shubei held talks in Taipei on August 4 to 7, 1994, according to an agreement between the SEF and ARATS. The two sides extensively exchanged views on SEF-ARATS affairs and implementation results of the four agreements signed at the "Koo-Wang Talks." The following consensus was reached: 

1. SEF and ARATS Contacts 

(1) The two sides believe that strengthening communication between the SEF and ARATS at various levels will be beneficial to advancing understanding, eliminating misunderstanding, narrowing differences and fostering mutual trust. 

(2) The two sides agreed to promptly notify each other of major incidents involving the safety of life and property of cross-strait personnel and the handling status in such cases. The two sides will also respect the wishes of the family concerning the transport of remains in fatal incidents. 

(3) The two sides agreed to encourage related agencies to facilitate procedures for the review and approval of press applications during major events and emergencies to help reporters on the two sides to cover such events. 

2. Routine Negotiations 

(1) The two sides discussed the three issues of "repatriation of people who enter the area of the other side in violation of relevant regulations [illegal migrants] and related questions," "matters concerning the repatriation of cross-strait hijackers," and "negotiations on the handling of marine fishing disputes between the two sides." They reached a concrete consensus on resolving major differences and agreed to promptly decide on the text and sign an agreement. 

(2) The two sides agreed to promptly hold discussions on "jointly fighting maritime smuggling, robbery and other criminal activities," "cross-strait intellectual property right protection," and "mutual assistance between the judicial organs of the two sides (contact and assistance between relevant courts of the two sides)." 

3. Use of Certificates of Authentication

(1) The two sides agreed in principle to add four types of mailed certificate of authentication copies, including tax and medical record certifications. A written consensus will also soon be reached between notary associations of the two sides. 

(2) The two sides agreed to provide assistance with verification of documents other than certificates of authentication on a case-by-case basis. 

4. Expanding Cross-strait Express Mail Service 

The two sides agreed to expand cross-strait express mail service, with specific measures to be decided later. 

5. Improving the Quality of Cross-strait Telephone Service 

The two sides agreed to review and discuss through appropriate channels ways to improve the quality of cross-strait telephone communications. 

6. Economic Exchanges 

The two sides agreed to encourage private organizations or academic organizations to hold symposiums on cross-strait economic and trade disputes to facilitate talks between the SEF and ARATS. 

7. Cultural, Educational, and Sci-tech Exchanges 

(1) Youth exchanges 

The SEF, ARATS and other private organizations are actively planning to hold regular cross-strait academic and cultural exchange events, including exchange events for college and university students, as well as sports, art and sci-tech related exchange visits and field trips by elementary and middle school students on the two sides. 

(2) Cultural relic exchanges 

Private cultural relic organizations on the two sides have been organizing exchanges to share management and preservation experience. The two sides are also promoting joint participation by scholars in the excavation of burial sites; encouraging private groups to hold cross-strait touring exhibitions of cultural relics actively; promoting cultural relic exchanges and exchange visits by scholars in related fields; and strengthening cross-strait exchanges and training of talent related to cultural relics. In addition, the two sides are studying and formulating sample contracts for cross-strait cultural relic exchanges. 

(3) Sci-tech exchanges 

The two sides agreed to hold exchanges between experts in the fields of natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They will also strengthen exchanges and research in disaster prevention, environmental protection and other sci-tech fields. 

(4) Media exchanges 

The two sides agreed to promote cross-strait exchange visits by media executives and senior reporters. The specific items of such exchanges are attached below. 

8. Mutual Assistance in Inheritance Affairs

(1) ARATS agreed to assist the SEF in publishing inheritance notices in mainland newspapers. The content of the announcements will be promptly decided separately. 

(2) The SEF agreed to provide ARATS with information on the name, place of registered household, time of death and Taiwan address of Taiwan ancestors to help mainland heirs exercise their inheritance rights. 

(3) The two sides agreed to provide mutual assistance in verifying the identity of an heir. 

(4) ARATS agreed to the SEF request to appropriately assist in forwarding legal estates to heirs and returning to the SEF receipts for estate acceptance. ARATS shall ensure that heirs receive their full inheritance after deducting a handling fee as stipulated. 

(5) The SEF requested that assistance be given to Taiwan heirs seeking inheritance in the mainland. ARATS agreed to forward this request to the relevant parties and give assistance.