Chronologies
China - Taiwan
Chronology from Jan 2009 to Mar 2009
: Two Red Cross societies sign cooperation agreement in Taipei.
: DPP Caucus calls for full transparency on ECFA.
: MOEA Minister Yiin Chii-ming says there have been talks on ECFA.
: U.S. Department of Defense releases Military Power of the PRC 2009 report.
: DPP Chair Tsai says ECFA under “one China” principle would divide society.
: Taipei’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) holds first ECFA hearing.
: President Ma receives American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Ray Burghardt.
: Taipei releases its first Quadrennial Defense Report.
: President Ma says talks on WHA participation will be held overseas in April.
: TAO Minister Wang Yi is cautiously optimistic that Taiwan will be able to attend the World Health Assembly as an observer.
: PRC Minister of Commerce Chen Deming calls for early talks on CECA to combat financial downturn.
: Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) Chair Morris Chang endorses goal of ECFA.
: People’s Bank of China President Zhou Xiaochuan says financial service memorandum of understanding with Taiwan could be based on HK agreement.
: President Ma expresses hope that ECFA can be discussed at the 3rd SEF-ARATS meeting.
: Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Wu Poh-hsuing returns from trip to Southeast Asia.
: Former President Lee Teng-hui says ECFA not in Taiwan’s interest.
: President Ma says tensions with the mainland are at record low; PRC announces 15 percent increase in 2010 defense budget.
: Former Vice Premier Wu Rong-yi says ECFA is a trap set by China.
: Group led by Frank Hsieh says CECA would mean unification.
: Speaker Wang Jin-pyng calls for LY task force on cross-Strait relations.
: DPP Chair Tsai calls for referendum on CECA/ECFA.
: In online dialogue, Premier Wen Jiabao calls for economic cooperation mechanism that meets Taiwan’s needs.
: U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks conclude.
: Premier Liu says CECA is not on 3rd SEF-ARATS agenda.
: MAC says CECA would be sent to Legislative Yuan (LY) for approval.
: President Ma’s news conference introduces the term Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in lieu of CECA.
: Cross-Strait postal remittance of funds begins.
: TAO spokesman says CECA would be mutually beneficial.
: Premier Liu Chao-shiuan says there is no timetable for concluding CECA.
: SEF Chair Chiang says he hopes a framework for CECA can be reached in 2009.
: Taiwan’s Presidential Office says name CECA will be dropped from the discussions on the development of an agreement on economic issues with China.
: DPP Chair Tsai says CECA would cause serious social conflict.
: TSU Chair Huang Chu-wen says CECA will prompt all-out impeachment effort.
: DPP–Taiwan Solidarity Union National Policy Conference focuses on CECA.
: Secretary Clinton visits Beijing.
: Taiwan financial services delegation holds talks in Beijing.
: Secretary Clinton says U.S. encourages further progress in cross-Strait relations.
: The two Palace Museums ink an artifact exchange deal in Beijing.
: MAC Chair Lai Shin-yuan says the number of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan has increased to 1,500.
: DPP chair Tsai says CECA requires social consensus in Taiwan.
: MAC states that CECA is not on the agenda for the 3rd SEF-ARATS meeting.
: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expresses hope that cross-Strait relations will continue to improve.
: President Ma is interviewed by New York Times.
: Jia Qinglin, fourth-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the People’s Political Consultative Conference, attends a conference in Taiwan.
: Democratic Progressive Party Chair Tsai Ing-wen asserts Washington has doubts about President Ma’s cross-Strait policy.
: President Barack Obama calls President Hu and makes no mention of Taiwan.
: Raytheon wins a bid to upgrade Taiwan’s Patriot missiles.
: Taipei Zoo’s panda house opens.
: Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) authorizes financial services, scheduled flights, and PRC investment as issues for 3rd SEF-ARATS talks.
: President Ma reiterates “resolute defense, effective deterrence” policy.
: TAO Minister Wang Yi comments on the agenda for the 3rd ARATS-SEF talks.
: Beijing releases its 2008 white paper on national defense.
: President Ma Ying-jeou again calls for removal of Chinese missiles from the coastal region opposite Taiwan.
: SEF Chair Chiang says the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement makes Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with China necessary.
: World Health Organization invites Taiwan to participate in International Health Regulations (IHR).
: Beijing reports that PLA Navy escorts Taiwan ship near Somalia.
: Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Minister Wang Yi meets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in Beijing.
: Reports show Taiwan’s exports to China in December decline by 54 percent.
: SEF Chair Chiang Pin-kung visits China for consultations with Taiwan invested enterprises (TIEs).
: Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) sends the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) compensation claims for melamine contamination.