Lien Chan stresses peace but does not mention reunification
Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan, embarking on the most important part of his 'journey of peace', arrived in Beijing yesterday to a reception fit for a head of state.
Landing at a special section of Beijing Capital International Airport before noon, on a chartered China Eastern flight from Nanjing , Mr Lien emphasised his desire to work towards a 'win-win' future of peace, without bringing up reunification.
Mr Lien came to the mainland at the invitation of Communist Party general secretary Hu Jintao , acting in his party role rather than as head of state. The meeting with Mr Hu today will be the first between heads of the two parties in six decades.
Under overcast skies with a gusty wind threatening a sandstorm, a waving and smiling Mr Lien, accompanied by his wife, Fang Yu, shook hands with mainland officials lined up along a red carpet leading to a podium. His 150-member delegation also exchanged greetings with them.
In welcoming remarks, Chen Yunlin , director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, said today's meeting would be one that 'faces the present and forges the future' between the two parties.
Mr Lien gave a short speech in which he emphasised that building a 'win-win' future of peace, through understanding and dialogue, was the shared wish of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
