Mainland, Taiwan to prepare for 9th round of talks

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will prepare for the ninth round of talks between chief negotiators from both sides, according to an official news release.

Zheng Lizhong, executive vice president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) will meet the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Vice Chairman Kao Koong Liann in Taipei on Friday and Saturday, to prepare for the chief negotiators' talks.

Zheng will be heading a delegation.

Founded in 1991 and 1990, respectively, the ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Strait affairs.