Kao Koong-lian

Kao Koong-lian (Chinese: 高孔廉; pinyin: Gāo Kǒnglián; born 9 November 1944) is a Taiwanese politician. He was the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) from 2008 to 2014.[4]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Kao.
Kao Koong-lian
高孔廉
Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Straits Exchange Foundation
In office
20 May 2008[1] – 6 February 2014[2]
ChairmanChiang Pin-kung
Lin Join-sane
Deputy Secretary-GeneralMa Shaw-chang
Succeeded byChang Hsien-yao[3]
Minister of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission of the Executive Yuan
In office
1997 – 20 May 2000
Preceded byLee Hou-kao
Succeeded byHsu Cheng-kuang
Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan[1]
In office
28 February 1996 – 1997
ChairmanChang King-yuh
Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan
(acting)
In office
3 December 1995 – 27 February 1996
Preceded byVincent Siew
Succeeded byChang King-yuh
Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan[1]
In office
1991 – 3 December 1995
ChairmanShih Chi-yang
Huang Kun-huei
Vincent Siew
Personal details
Born9 November 1944 (1944-11-09) (age 76)
Minhou, Fukien, Republic of China
NationalityRepublic of China
Alma materNational Chengchi University
University of Connecticut
Louisiana State University

ROC Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission Chairmanship

ROC and Tibet Relations Improvement

Speaking at a press conference in Taipei in January 1998, Kao said that the ROC government is willing to enhance relation with Tibetan government-in-exile in India. He added that the commission is willing to provide aids to all Tibetans irrespective of their political belief, and that the ROC government is committed to the reunification of China.[5]

SEF Secretary-General and Vice Chairmanship
Kao and Chiang Pin-kung during the 7th Chen-Chiang summit between ARATS and SEF in October 2011 in Tianjin.
Kao and Zheng Lizhong during a meeting between SEF and ARATS on 14 June 2013 in Taipei.

20th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus

In November 2012 during a conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus, Kao said that the consensus is a temporary measures to regulate the relations between two sides of the Taiwan Straits in which both sides agreed to set aside differences. However, he emphasized that the two sides need to take another step forward in agreeing to not repudiate each other's jurisdiction and to establish cross-strait comprehensive offices on a reciprocal basis.

He added that SEF is the temporary mediator between two government agencies across the Taiwan Strait. Once all of the communication channel between the two sides have been well-established, SEF may no longer be needed.

He pointed out that over the past two decades, Taiwan identity has changed significantly, adding that Taiwanese identity has been reinforced heavily within Taiwan. This is something that both Beijing and Taipei should guard against.[6]

2013 Mainland China visit

Kao and SEF officials left for Mainland China in mid April 2013 to visit Taiwanese companies operating in Chengdu and Chongqing and meet with senior executives of Taiwanese businesses. He discussed problems they are facing or if there is any assistance SEF can do to help them.[7]

The SEF delegations were still in Sichuan province when the 2013 Ya'an earthquake strike Lushan on 20 April 2013. SEF spokesman said that SEF will offer help to the earthquake relief efforts based on the severity of the disaster.[8]

Cross-strait service trade

In end of June 2013, Kao joined a delegation led by Lin Join-sane, Chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), to visit Shanghai from Taiwan for the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement signing. The Taiwanese delegation includes Cho Shih-chao, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs and Chang Hsien-yao, Deputy Minister of Mainland Affairs Council.[9][10]

The cross-strait service trade agreement was signed on 21 June 2013 which consists of four chapters and twenty four articles. Under the agreement, 64 Taiwanese industries will be opened to Chinese Mainland investments, ranging from transportation, tourism and traditional Chinese medicine sectors. Meanwhile, 80 Chinese Mainland industries will be opened to Taiwanese investments, ranging from finance, retail, electronics, publishing and travel sectors.[11][12]

SEF resignation

On 10 January 2014, Kao tendered his resignation from SEF post and will leave the office on 6 February 2014 with no future posting. His resignation was approved by President Ma Ying-jeou a week earlier.[13]

References
  1. "Kao Koong-lian designated as SEF secretary-general". The China Post. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  2. "NPF News Website". Taiwannpfnews.org.tw. 2014-01-10. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  3. "Chang Hsien-yao to be new deputy head at SEF". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  4. "Kao Koong-lian (高孔廉)｜Who's Who｜WantChinaTimes.com". Wantchinatimes.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  5. "Canada Tibet Committee | Library | WTN | Archive | Old". Tibet.ca. 1998-01-29. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  6. "Kuomintang News Network". Kmt.org.tw. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  7. "Cross-strait offices plan gets mixed reception". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  8. "Taiwan SEF offers help to mainland´s quake-hit area CCTV News - CNTV English". 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  9. "New pact will modernize services across Strait: SEF". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  10. "【2013.06.20】林中森會陳德銘 洽簽服貿協議 -udn tv". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  11. "Cross-strait service trade pact signed". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  12. "SERVICES PACT: TSU knocks cross-strait service trade agreement". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  13. "Vice chairman of SEF resigns". Taipei Times. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
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