More interaction among overseas Chinese groups
Written by Writer on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
More interaction among overseas Chinese groups
TAIPEI, Taiwan — With the increased warming of cross-Taiwan Strait ties, more interaction is also being seen among overseas civic groups that traditionally comprise either Taiwanese or Chinese expatriates, Minister of Overseas Compatriots Commission Wu Ying-yih said Monday.
“With the Ma Ying-jeou administration as the new government, there has been an obvious and gradual warming of cross-strait ties. Therefore, the interaction between overseas Chinese groups from Taiwan and China has also increased,” said Wu at the opening of the 4th Conference of Global Overseas Compatriots.
“We are very happy to see this, as our work is to promote harmony in the interactions among overseas Chinese communities,” Wu added.
The Conference of Global Overseas Compatriots is a meeting of overseas Chinese that is held annually by the Overseas Compatriots Affairs Commission (OCAC). The meeting this year includes 306 expatriate representatives from 58 countries, with the purpose of exchanging views on the latest developments in overseas Chinese communities.
“The thawing of ties between expatriate groups from Taiwan and China has also seen many cases of cooperation between these groups in jointly organizing activities, “ said Wu. “However, the position of the OCAC remains that such interactions must see each side as having equal status.”
He pointed out that in the past, the political tension across the Taiwan Strait meant that overseas Chinese communities from Taiwan and China have tended not to interact with each other, with some communities even at odds with each other.
“Globalization is the trend. Overseas Chinese are increasing their participation in international activities. The role of OCAC is to act as a bridge between different overseas Chinese communities, assisting them in cultural and economic activities, “ said Wu. “We also hope that overseas Chinese will be able to act as civic ambassadors in their countries of residence to help promote diplomatic relations for the Republic of China,” he added.
The OCAC is a Cabinet-level organization that is mainly responsible for handling overseas compatriot affairs, which includes education, culture and trade. Conferences that call on various expatriate groups representatives to attend are held on an annual basis.
The warming of cross-strait ties began with the resumption of meetings between Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung and his Chinese counterpart, Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin six months ago in Beijing. A more recent meeting between Chiang and Chen was held in Taipei last week.
The SEF and ARATS are quasi-official organizations responsible for handling cross-strait ties in the absence of official relations, and Chen and Chiang are expected to meet every six months, with the next meeting scheduled for Beijing.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:46 am TWN, CNA
