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Oct. 3, 2008: The Bush administration notifies Congress of a $6.5 billion Taiwan arms package. Oct. 6, 2008: U.S. Department of Defense reports that China has postponed various military-to-military activities to protest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Oct. 7, 2008: Premier Liu Chao-shiuan states that if the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) chairmen is to meet him, he must address him as “premier.” Oct. 10, 2008: President Ma Ying-jeou reiterates that he will put Taiwan’s interests first in pursuing cross-Strait relations. Oct. 10, 2008: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan’s dignity must be maintained during ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin’s visit. Oct. 13, 2008: Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director Lai Seh-jen visits mainland to promote tourism. Oct. 13, 2008: National Security Council Secretary General Su Chi tells Legislative Yuan that President Ma will meet ARATS Chairman Chen with “equality and dignity.” Oct. 14, 2008: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie urges U.S. to cancel arms sales to Taiwan. Oct. 17, 2008: Premier Liu repeats call for a PRC apology over tainted milk. Oct. 19, 2008: DPP Chairperson Tsai says people don’t trust President Ma. Oct. 19, 2008: Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairperson Lai Shin-yuan says there are no political issues on ARATS Chairman Chen’s Taiwan visit agenda. Oct. 20, 2008: ARATS Vice Chairman Zhang Mingqing visits Tainan for conference. Oct. 21, 2008: President Ma outlines “effective deterrence” strategy Oct. 21, 2008: DPP-led mob harasses ARATS Vice Chairman Zhang in Tainan. Oct. 22, 2008: China returns 13 criminals to Taiwan via Matsu Island. Oct. 23, 2008: Kinmen and Xiamen authorities hold joint search and recovery exercise. Oct. 23, 2008: Ma Ying-jeou says he will receive ARATS Chairman Chen in his capacity as president of the Republic of China. China-Taiwan Relations 81 January 2009 Oct. 27, 2008: ARATS and Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) hold preparatory talks in Shenzhen and announce dates for the visit to Taiwan by ARATS Chairman Chen. Oct. 27, 2008: SEF reports ARATS letter apologizing for tainted milk. Oct. 27, 2008: Defense News reports the U.S. is blocking the sale of items to Taiwan’s Chung Shan Institute of Science & Technology (CSIST) to stop development of the Hsiung Feng 2E land attack cruise missile program. Oct. 28, 2008: Seven Taiwan business groups issue statement welcoming Chen Yunlin visit. Oct. 29, 2008: Taipei announces Lien Chan to be President Ma’s APEC representative. Oct. 30, 2008: DPP member Wang Ding-yu indicted for violence against Zhang. Oct. 30, 2008: ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin expresses apology over tainted milk products. Oct. 30, 2008: Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Minister Wang Yi mentions the importance of World Health Organization issue in cross-Strait relations. Nov. 1, 2008: Taipei Times editorial says President Ma’s policies could provoke civil unrest. Nov. 1, 2008: TAO issues simplified rules for Taiwan correspondents. Nov. 3, 2008: ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin arrives in Taiwan and states his visit will not touch on political issues. Nov. 3, 2008: Chairperson Tsai calls on people to besiege guest house where Chen is staying. Nov. 4, 2008: SEF uses official titles to introduce Taiwan participants to Chen Yunlin; Chen meets MAC Chair Lai, but does not use her title. Nov. 4, 2008: Former President Chen Shui-bian accuses President Ma of treason. Nov. 4, 2008: Southern Taiwan Society accuses Ma of ceding Taiwan to PRC. Nov. 5, 2008: Demonstrators barricade Chen Yunlin in Regent Hotel. Nov. 6, 2008: Brief public meeting between President Ma and ARATS Chairman Chen. Nov. 10, 2008: Taiwan Education Minister Cheng Jei-cheng explains plans to accept Chinese students and academic degrees beginning in 2009. Nov. 10, 2008: MAC says Chen visits shows China does not deny Taiwan’s sovereignty. China-Taiwan Relations 82 January 2009 Nov. 10, 2008: President Ma meets APEC delegation stressing that Lien Chan will represent both ROC and himself. Nov. 15, 2008: Taiwan becomes “sponsoring member” of Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC). Nov. 16, 2008: TAO Minister Wang Yi announces measures to help Taiwan in financial crisis. Nov. 17, 2008: United Democratic Nations (UDN) reports PRC deployment of YJ-62A anti-ship missile on coast. Nov. 20, 2008: SEF Secretary General Kao Koong-lian leads delegation to Guangdong and Beijing. Nov. 20, 2008: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says APEC issues handled under one China principle and corrects reporter for saying “President Ma.” Nov. 21, 2008: General Secretary Hu and Lien Chan meet in Lima. Dec. 3, 2008: President Ma in an interview says time is not ripe for a visit by the Dalai Lama. Dec. 5, 2008: Hong Kong Trade Development Council opens Taipei office. Dec. 7, 2008: KMT Chairman Wu Poh-Hsiung begins first visit to Japan. Dec. 8, 2008: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Quanglie urges U.S. to end arms sales to Taiwan. Dec. 10, 2008: Taiwan joins World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement. Dec. 14, 2008: Direct cross-Strait postal service begins. Dec. 15, 2008: Direct shipping service is implemented from Kaohsiung. Dec. 17, 2008: TAO spokesman says WHO solution will be found through talks. Dec. 20-21, 2008: Fourth KMT-CCP Forum is held in Shanghai where Beijing announces economic measures to benefit Taiwan. Dec. 22, 2008: MAC Chairwoman Lai reiterates only SEF authorized to speak for government. Dec. 23, 2008: China’s gift Pandas arrive in Taipei. Dec. 26, 2008: China’s National Off-shore Oil Company (CNOOC) and Taiwan’s Chinese Petroleum Company (CPC) sign cooperation agreements. Dec. 28, 2008: Taiwan Cabinet holds mainland affair conference. China-Taiwan Relations 83 January 2009