Quick Facts
Biography
Lin Join-sane (Chinese: 林中森; pinyin: Lín Zhōngsēn) is a Taiwanese politician. He was the Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation from 27 September 2012 until 20 May 2016.
KMT Secretary-General
Yu Chang Biologics Co. Case
In August 2012, commenting on the Yu Chang Biologics Co. case regarding former Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen's illicit transaction related to the funding of the company and that Tsai fought back by filing criminal charges towards Vice President Wu Den-yih, Lin responded by saying that officials involved in the case had clarified themselves and said that KMT respected the prosecutor's decision not to indict Tsai. Lin called on her not to divert public attention and should take moral responsibility.
SEF Chairmanship
First Mainland China visit
In mid of October 2012, Lin visited mainland China for the very first time. While in the mainland, he met with Wang Yi (director of Taiwan Affairs Office), Chen Yunlin (president of ARATS) and also Taiwanese business people based in Beijing and Tianjin. During this visit, he has agreed with his Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) counterparts to open reciprocal representative offices on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, although no time table has been put in place.
Besides Beijing, Lin also visited Wudang Mountains in Hubei, Shanghai and Kunshan in Jiangsu.
Kaohsiung Huoshan Bridge reopening
In end of October 2012, Lin witnessed the reopening ceremony of the previously damaged Huoshan Bridge in Kaohsiung due to the Typhoon Morakot in August 2009. Lin was accompanied by Vice President of ARATS Zheng Lizong, Taiwan Mazu Fellowship honorary chairman Yen Chin-piao, Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council chief executive Chern Jenn-chuan and Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Liu Shih-fang. The bridge was rebuilt with the help by donors from funds raised by ARATS and Taiwan Affairs Office.
New PRC passport
After the issuance of new version of PRC passport in May 2012 which features Taiwan's iconic landmark of Sun Moon Lake and Chingshui Cliff, Lin said that he had told ARATS President that Taiwan has taken a firm stance on the matter. ARATS responded by expressing their understanding and promised to handle the matter seriously, Lin added. The passport is actually not the official passport and the changes were only made based on style consideration without any motive behind it.
March 2013 Mainland China visit
In March 2013, Lin visited the Chinese mainland provinces of Hunan and Hubei. He met with Xu Shousheng, secretary of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Lin hoped that Taiwan and Hunan can develop a competitive and cooperative relationship. In Hunan, Lin also met with Taiwanese businessmen doing business there. He conducted inspections in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Yueyang. He said that Hunan has attracted investment from more than 2,000 Taiwan-funded enterprises, with six industrial parks and one farmer's innovation park have been established in Xiangtan, Hengyang, Chenzhou and Yueyang. He also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Taiwan Businessmen Association of Yueyang.
Chinese mainland investment
In mid April 2013, Lin made a remark during an opening ceremony of a Xiamen subsidiary company in Taiwan saying that Taiwan welcomes investors from Mainland China to invest in Taiwan because Taiwan has a good environment for investment. Lin also said that he looks forward for the ECFA signing of service trade pact since it will benefit the service industry of both sides across the Taiwan Strait.
Chen Yunlin visit to Taiwan
In early May 2013, former President of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Chen Yunlin made a private visit to Taiwan after his term in ARATS has finished. In Taiwan, he met and had a talk with Lin.
2013 cross-strait service trade agreement
In end of June 2013, Lin led a delegation from Taiwan to visit Shanghai for the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement signing. The Taiwanese delegation includes Kao Koong-lian, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Straits Exchange Foundation, Chang Hsien-yao, Deputy Minister of Mainland Affairs Council and Cho Shih-chao, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs. Lin was greeted by Chen Deming, the new President of ARATS.
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.
September 2013 Mainland China visit
In mid September 2013, Lin led a delegation from Taiwan for a visit to Mainland China. In the mainland, Lin met with Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Yu Zhengsheng. The two sides had a discussion on the right directions both sides must follow to develop the cross-strait relations and jointly promote that the two sides are family. They also agreed to further follow up the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and begin negotiation about cultural and educational cooperation.
April 2014 Mainland China visit
In mid April 2014, Lin visited Yunnan and Shandong provinces in Mainland China to meet with Taiwanese businessmen doing business in those provinces.
May 2014 Mainland China visit
In end of May 2014, Lin visited Jiangsu city of Nantong for a summit on Taiwanese companies' industrial transformation and improvements with Chen Deming, head of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. He said that cross-strait relations are in the best shape in six decades and that the two sides must improve their cooperation in service sector. He added that both governments must provide support for the service industries to help them during the transformation phase.
Chen gave a remark that the Taiwanese students should support the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement because it could provide many job opportunities for them and that Taiwan could gain momentum for economic growth.