SEF Chairman calls for calm response to cross-Strait talks

TAIPEI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), has called for calm response to the upcoming cross-Strait talks.

The SEF and the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) plan to hold new round of talks in Taiwan's Taichung city on Dec. 22.

Chiang said issues to be discussed during the talks included labor cooperation in the fishing industry, cooperation in inspection and quarantine of agricultural products and standard measurement authentication and avoidance of double taxation.

Those issues were closely related to the health and benefits of people across the Strait, he said, adding that he hoped agreements could be reached to improve the foundation of cross-Strait relations.

It is the fourth round of talks since the SEF and the ARATS resumed negotiations in June last year following a 10-year suspension.