The China Times here said Jia Qingling, a political bureau member and deputy head of the central Taiwan Affairs Office, was to meet with the KMT group Thursday.
Observers said the trip, the first official visit by the KMT to the mainland since it was defeated by communist forces in 1949, was a prelude to a mainland visit by its leader Lien Chan.
The KMT has called for friendly ties with Beijing while Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) favors declaring the island independent.
"The lingering cross-strait tensions must be eased and to do so, efforts must be taken… the KMT would like to take an active step," Lien said Sunday, a day after about 275,000 people in Taiwan took to the streets to protest China’s new anti-secession law.
The law passed this month authorizes the use of force against Taiwan if it moves toward formal independence. Taiwan authorities have slammed it as tantamount to giving the Chinese military a blank check to invade the island, leaving people in constant fear.
The two sides have been governed separately since the split but Beijing still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification — by force if necessary.
Direct transport, commercial and postal links have been cut since the KMT fled here following defeat to the communists.
Cross-strait ties have worsened since DPP’s Chen Shui-bian won the presidency in 2000, ending the KMT’s 51-year grip on power. He was re-elected last year.
The China Times here said Jia Qingling, a political bureau member and deputy head of the central Taiwan Affairs Office, was to meet with the KMT group Thursday.
Observers said the trip, the first official visit by the KMT to the mainland since it was defeated by communist forces in 1949, was a prelude to a mainland visit by its leader Lien Chan.
The KMT has called for friendly ties with Beijing while Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) favors declaring the island independent.
"The lingering cross-strait tensions must be eased and to do so, efforts must be taken… the KMT would like to take an active step," Lien said Sunday, a day after about 275,000 people in Taiwan took to the streets to protest China’s new anti-secession law.
The law passed this month authorizes the use of force against Taiwan if it moves toward formal independence. Taiwan authorities have slammed it as tantamount to giving the Chinese military a blank check to invade the island, leaving people in constant fear.
The two sides have been governed separately since the split but Beijing still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification — by force if necessary.
Direct transport, commercial and postal links have been cut since the KMT fled here following defeat to the communists.
Cross-strait ties have worsened since DPP’s Chen Shui-bian won the presidency in 2000, ending the KMT’s 51-year grip on power. He was re-elected last year.
Yan Sham-Shackleton Online 
Xinhua has Chiang Pin-kung as visiting Guangzhou today. I think the timing was good. Rhetoric from Beijing was becoming quite ominous following the pro-independence protests.
Xinhua:
“[China] won’t do to back down. The consequence of promoting secession will not be good. The leading politicians of Taiwan authorities should ponder this.”
A veiled threat? Mmm – yes.
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Not so vieled threat. missiles pointing.
yan
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