ARATS Reiterates "Three Direct Links"The two sides reached a consensus that the three direct links of trade, mail, and air and shipping services across the Taiwan Straits, have become an irresistible historical tendency. The Taiwan authority should abandon the policy of postponing the "three direct links" and immediately put them into operation, both sides agreed. The two sides also expressed the hope that the compatriots on both sides of the straits would intensify communication and cooperation so as to accelerate the process of the "three direct links". The dialogue was hosted by Sun Yafu, vice president of the association. The mainland-based ARATS has always been dedicated to promoting the "three direct links", and the dialogue may work as another showcase of its effort in this regard, Sun said. Sun also pointed out that the Taiwan authority has refused to accept the "one China principle" and tried to postpone the "three direct links" under various pretexts. China will strive to realize the "three direct links" in accordance with the principle of "one China, direct and two-way, and reciprocal", Sun added. As long as it is acknowledged as an internal affair of China, the "three direct links" could be expected to be achieved at an early stage through consultation and cooperation between the non-governmental sectors across the straits, Sun Quoted Vice-Chinese Premier Qian Qichen as saying. Experts invited by the association from various Chinese central institutions briefed the delegation on the efforts and preparations that have been made by the Chinese mainland in promoting the "three direct links", and the views concerning the technical and business problems in this regard. The eight-member delegation led by Liu Sung-pan arrived April 1 in Beijing. |
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