The chief of the Chinese mainland’s Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) chief Chen Yunlin visited Taipei, Taiwan to hold bilateral talks with the Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF). The proposed meeting is aimed at deepening cross-strait economic cooperation and is being seen as a means to “institutionalize” Cross-strait ties through the mechanism of the ARATS-SEF. The SEF will be represented by Chiang Pin-Kung. This is the first ARATS-SEF summit in Taipei1.

The 7th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition will be held at the Zuhuai Airshow Centre in the Guangdong province of China from November 4-9. Reports noted that the ‘Chinese missile defence system concept’ would be displayed as well as a new set of missile equipment like SY-400 rocket-powered guided missile weapon systems will also be unveiled2.

• 1. “ARATS, SEF chiefs hold talks in Taipei,” People’s Daily, November 4, 2008, at http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6526988.html
• 2. “New missiles debut at Airshow China in Zhuhai,” People’s Daily, November 3, 2008, at http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90786/6526544.html