The sixth Chiang-Chen meeting is scheduled to start later this month in Taipei, and according to the latest announcement by the Mainland Affairs Council, an agreement on cross-strait investment protection will not be signed this time due to the complexities of issues involved. The agency promised it will keep working on the negotiations to obtain satisfactory terms for Taiwan.

The pre-meeting of the sixth Chiang-Chen meeting has started, in which representatives discussed the dates, venue and the content of the agreements to be signed.

However, the dates are not confirmed yet.

According to our government officials, the two sides haven't reached a consensus over the contents of the agreement, which include cross-strait investment protection.

In order to protect the rights of Taiwanese businessmen, our government proposes to resort to international arbitration, which is disapproved by China.

Therefore, this agreement may not be signed during the sixth Chiang-Chen meeting.

Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman Lai Hsin-yuan says the issues involved in the agreement are complicated and it requires a thorough discussion.

Since the two sides haven't reached an agreement on the contents, the dates and venue of the sixth Chiang-Chen meeting have not been confirmed yet.

However, regarding another agreement on medical and health cooperation, Taiwan has proposed five principles, which have been approved by China; the agreement is expected to be signed in the upcoming meeting.