Taiwan and China could consider cooperating on overseas compatriots’ issues, after Taiwan’s attendance last month of the World Health Assembly in Geneva where it was given observer status under the name of “Chinese Taipei” after China withdrew its objections.

Below is an article published by Taiwan News :

 TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan and China could consider cooperating on overseas compatriots issues, the Straits Exchange Foundation said during a visit by an Overseas Chinese organization from China Monday [June 8].

The SEF is Taiwan’s semi-official body in charge of negotiations with China.

Welcoming his guests from China’s Alliance of Returned Overseas Chinese, SEF vice Secretary-General Ma Shao-chang referred to Taiwan’s attendance last month [May 2009] of the World Health Assembly in Geneva after 12 failed attempts. The country was given observer status under the name of “Chinese Taipei” after China withdrew its objections.

The breakthrough showed that cooperation between Taiwan and China was possible, Ma said, adding he hoped it could be extended to the field of overseas citizens.

The chairman of the Cabinet-level Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, Wu Ying-yih, told reporters he welcomed the group’s visit to Taiwan and would support growing cooperation overseas.

The Overseas Chinese communities around the world used to be the scene for fierce battles of influence between Beijing’s communist regime and the Kuomintang in Taiwan. The battles were regarded as an extension as the struggle between Taiwan and China for international diplomatic recognition.

The chairman of the Chinese organization, Lin Jun, said the two sides already held talks in 2006, and his visit served to deepen the relationship. He said Overseas Chinese communities approved of the direction relations between the two had evolved. Lin was referring to the increased pace of talks and agreements between Taiwan and China since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May last year.

The SEF official said Lin would find many things different during this visit, his first since he came to Taiwan in 2000 for a visit to prominent carmaker Yulon Motors.