China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin (陳雲林) ended his five-day visit yesterday morning, reiterating his gratitude to the police while promising Taiwanese “harmonious” trips to China.
“We’ve completed the mission for which people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait had high expectations and entrusted to ARATS and the Straits Exchange Foundation [SEF] during this trip to Taipei,” Chen said in the lobby of the Grand Hotel before leaving for the airport. “I came here five days ago bringing the deep affections of the 1.3 billion Chinese for the 23 million Taiwanese, and today I will leave Taiwan with the understanding and support of the 23 million Taiwanese for the Chinese people.”
Before returning to China, Chen, accompanied by SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤), summed up the ARATS delegation’s visit to Taipei this week and repeated his appreciation of the police, hotel staff and reporters.
“For SEF-ARATS meetings and our safety, the police made a lot of sacrifices from dawn to midnight and even bled during the strong protests. I, on behalf of my delegation, thank you again for your hard work,” Chen said, bowing to express his thanks.
While declining to comment on the violent protests against him during the past four days, Chen welcomed Taiwanese to visit China.
“I promise you that your trip to China will be harmonious and smooth,” Chen said.
Chiang yesterday expressed his satisfaction with the results of the five-day negotiations and promised to continue defending Taiwan’s sovereignty and dignity during future cross-strait talks.
“The road ahead is still long and the SEF will hold on to a ‘Taiwancentric, people first’ attitude during future negotiations,” Chiang said.
The Chiang-Chen meeting was the second round of cross-strait negotiations between the SEF and ARATS since talks resumed in June after a 10-year hiatus.
On Tuesday, four agreements were signed. Two forums on financial cooperation and shipping issues were also held.
After the farewell ceremony at the hotel, the highest-ranking Chinese official to ever visit Taiwan headed for Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, leaving at 10:13am.
Soon after the black limousines and shuttle buses carrying Chen and the delegates left the hotel, the hundreds of police who have been stationed outside began to remove the barricades and leave.
On Chen’s arrival in Taipei on Monday, a heavy police presence was employed along the route from the airport to the Grand Hotel in Taipei and again yesterday some 2,000 officers were mobilized to police the route and the airport. A number of checkpoints were set up along the route.
A man displaying a Chinese flag on his car on the freeway was blocked by police officers and taken to a police vehicle. He was later released after the delegation had reached the airport.
At the airport, a female passenger who was flying to Los Angeles was removed by officers for shouting “Taiwan independence, Taiwan independence” in the departure hall. No major protests took place.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY RICH CHANG
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