4 pacts significant: Chen

Chen Yunlin, president of the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing before starting his trip to Taichung City in central Taiwan next week.

He said the four pacts on fishing crew cooperation, agricultural quarantine inspection, industrial product standards, inspection and certification, and the avoidance of double taxation are extremely meaningful for the cross-strait peace as well as economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

Chen said it is time to establish a sound system to protect IPR on both sides of the Taiwan Strait amid increased two-way exchanges and that China is very willing to list the IPR issue in the fifth round of bilateral negotiations.

He said many well-known brands from Taiwan, including Want Want, Giant, President Chain Store and BenQ, are already popular in China. But these are just a fraction of the 62,925 Taiwan's trademarks officially registered in China as of September 2009 and they need effective protection, he told the press.

Famous brands of Taiwan's fine-quality farm produce, including tea, fruit, and vegetables, are frequently pirated in China.

Chen pointed out that while a planned economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) will not be signed in the fourth round of cross-strait talks, he and his Taiwan counterpart, Chairman Chiang Pin-kung of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), might discuss ECFA-related issues on Dec. 22.

Commenting on the misgivings of some Taiwan businesses about the proposed pact, Chen said Chinese authorities will do their best to address the matters of major concern to Taiwan in a way that would benefit both sides.

Chen and his delegation are due to arrive Monday in Taichung City for the meeting from Dec. 22-23.

Scores of prominent Chinese entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors will accompany him to Taiwan and they will explore the possibility of forming joint ventures with Taiwan companies and will try to gain a better understanding of Taiwan's laws and regulations, according to Chen.

He said he believes more and more Chinese state and private companies will be willing to make investments in Taiwan.

Concerning the plan of Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stage a series of protests and rallies during the meeting next week, Chen said he absolutely respects different opinions and voices in Taiwan.

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