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A New Chapter Opens
The ECFA lays the foundation for the gradual normalization of cross-Straits economic ties and provides institutional assurances for future cooperation. It will help the mainland and Taiwan boost economic competitiveness, improve people's well being and speed up economic integration so the two sides can participate jointly in international competition
A Milestone in Cross-Straits Relations

Chongqing, the southwestern municipality that served as China's capital during World War II, will be remembered again for hosting a landmark event in the Chinese history on June 29. On that day, Chen Yunlin, President of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, and Chiang Pin-kung, Chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, signed the long-awaited Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in Chongqing, a move hailed by many as a milestone in cross-Straits relations
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A Complex Journey
The ECFA is a special arrangement for the normalization, institutionalization and liberalization of cross-Straits economic cooperative activities. Its signing is the result of the ever expanding trade exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan
A People's Meeting
Peace, stability and development are the common aspiration for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The Cross-Straits Forum put people's livelihood and development at top priority
What Is the ECFA?
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) will cut tariffs on more than 800 categories of products and open up service sectors, giving a major boost to two-way trade across the Taiwan Straits. The tariff cuts will cover about 16 percent of Taiwan's exports to the mainland and 10.5 percent of mainland exports to Taiwan
ARATS and SEF Key Talks
In November 1992, the ARATS and the SEF held talks in Hong Kong. The organizations reached what's called the "1992 Consensus." It states that both sides adhere to the one-China policy.

In April 1993, ARATS President Wang Daohan and SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu held a historic "Wang-Koo meeting" in Singapore. It was the first public meeting between leaders of the two organizations. They signed four agreements on economic and trade cooperation.

From 1993 to 1998, the two organizations held more than 20 rounds of talks including one between Wang and Koo in Shanghai in 1998.

In 1999, negotiations between the two organizations were suspended because former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui began to pursue "Taiwan independence."
Related Special Reports
- Air, Shipping & Postal Links
- Direct Era Takes Shape Across Straits
Cover Archive  
NO. 14, 2009
NO. 2, 2009
NO. 17, 2006
NO. 6, 2006
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