Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits

The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS; Chinese: 海峡两岸关系协会; pinyin: Hǎixiá Liǎng'àn Guānxì Xiéhuì; often abbreviated as 海协会; Hǎixiéhuì) is a united front organization set up by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China for handling technical and business matters with Taiwan. == History == The ARATS was founded in 1991 by the Taiwan Affairs Office.