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'Cultural journey' boosts Taiwan ties

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Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong wrapped up a six-day visit to Taiwan yesterday that analysts said marked a new phase in cross-strait relations.

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Although the trip by Guo (pictured) was marred by daily protests by Falun Gong and Tibetan activists living in Taiwan, he was able to accomplish his mission and pave the way for Beijing to use cultural exchanges as the next step in building up cross-strait ties, analysts said.

Leading a 500-strong delegation made up of more than 30 municipal-level government and party officials from Beijing as well as business leaders and celebrities, Guo - the first Beijing mayor to visit the island - arrived in Taiwan last Thursday for what he described as a 'cultural journey'.

He was greeted at the island's Taoyuan International Airport by dozens of protesters, including Tibetan activists and members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned as an 'evil cult' on the mainland.

They called Guo a 'political persecutor and human rights abuser'.

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They then followed him almost everywhere and staged protests in Taipei and Taichung in central Taiwan.

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