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Taiwan party chief heads to China | Taiwan party chief heads to China |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The head of Taiwan's ruling party has arrived in China for a six-day visit that is being seen as another sign of warming ties between the two sides. | |
During his visit, Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung will meet top leaders and discuss cross-strait transport links. | During his visit, Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung will meet top leaders and discuss cross-strait transport links. |
He is the first leader of a Taiwanese governing party to visit China since the two sides split in 1949. | He is the first leader of a Taiwanese governing party to visit China since the two sides split in 1949. |
His visit comes days after Ma Ying-jeou was sworn in as Taiwan's new president. | His visit comes days after Ma Ying-jeou was sworn in as Taiwan's new president. |
Mr Ma wants better ties with China and has called for a "new chapter of peace" to be opened. | Mr Ma wants better ties with China and has called for a "new chapter of peace" to be opened. |
His predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, had angered China with moves towards formal independence, and relations had been severely strained. | His predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, had angered China with moves towards formal independence, and relations had been severely strained. |
'Second track' | 'Second track' |
As he left Taiwan, Mr Wu said his 16-member delegation bore a great responsibility. | As he left Taiwan, Mr Wu said his 16-member delegation bore a great responsibility. |
"I hope the visit will help develop positive cross-strait ties, ensure security of Taiwan people, maintain welfare of Taiwan people and push for the government's China policy," he said. | "I hope the visit will help develop positive cross-strait ties, ensure security of Taiwan people, maintain welfare of Taiwan people and push for the government's China policy," he said. |
Mr Wu will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday. | Mr Wu will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday. |
The two men are expected to discuss establishing direct cross-strait flights and allowing more Chinese tourists into Taiwan. | The two men are expected to discuss establishing direct cross-strait flights and allowing more Chinese tourists into Taiwan. |
But, says the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei, Mr Wu is not authorised to sign any documents with Chinese officials. | But, says the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei, Mr Wu is not authorised to sign any documents with Chinese officials. |
And some analysts have said that China is calling the shots by allowing this high profile meeting to take place before a visit by the head of Taiwan's semi-official body, the Straits Exchange Foundation. | And some analysts have said that China is calling the shots by allowing this high profile meeting to take place before a visit by the head of Taiwan's semi-official body, the Straits Exchange Foundation. |
It is the only organisation designated by Taipei to hold negotiations with Beijing in the absence of official contacts. | It is the only organisation designated by Taipei to hold negotiations with Beijing in the absence of official contacts. |
Nevertheless Mr Ma has said he welcomes this latest visit, our correspondent adds. | Nevertheless Mr Ma has said he welcomes this latest visit, our correspondent adds. |
He says contacts between the two sides' ruling parties could serve as what he called a "second track" in helping to improve and promote friendlier relations between Taiwan and China. | He says contacts between the two sides' ruling parties could serve as what he called a "second track" in helping to improve and promote friendlier relations between Taiwan and China. |
China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. | China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. |
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