Agreements on cross-strait meteorological and seismological cooperation were signed by the Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Beijing-headquartered Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits last month during their 10th round of talks, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at the Cabinet meeting today following a Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) report on the event.
According to the MAC, the two pacts will enable the competent authorities on both sides of the Strait to minimize the harm done by climate phenomena and natural disasters through real-time exchange of weather forecasts and earthquake monitoring information, safeguarding lives and property.
The premier commended relevant staffers from the MAC, SEF and Ministry of Transportation and Communications for their efforts in the negotiation. He also pointed out that the two agreements were the first to be examined using the national security screening mechanism for cross-strait pacts launched by Taiwan this year.
Additionally, Jiang enjoined relevant agencies to explain every stage of cross-strait issue formation, communication, and coordination to the public in a timely fashion while stepping up dialogue with the Legislature and society to gain the nation's support for accords after they are signed.