Lien: Peaceful, win-win future 'common aspiration'
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-04-28 12:54

Visiting Chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party of China Lien Chan said on Thursday it is the "common aspiration" of the people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits to build a peaceful and win-win future.

"It is a historical mission for all of us to shoulder and represents the irresistible trend of public opinions to build a peaceful and win-win future through reconciliation and dialogue," Lien said in his brief speech delivered upon his arrival at the Beijing International Airport Thursday morning.

Visiting Chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party of China Lien Chan delivers a speech upon his arrival at the Beijing International Airport Thursday April 28, 2005. Lien said it is the "common aspiration" of the people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits to build a peaceful and win-win future. [newsphoto]

Lien said he feels honored and grateful for the warm welcome reception he received at Beijing airport.

"Beijing is a political and cultural center, a world metropolis with a history of thousand years. Here we can see the coexistence of tradition and modernity, Chinese culture and world culture, andprosperous material and cultural and ethical civilizations," Lien said.

The KMT chairman said he would very much like to take the advantage of this opportunity of his visit to learn more about the development in Beijing.

"As you all know, I myself and my delegation will exchange views with General Secretary Hu Jintao and other leaders on major issues concerning peace and economic, trade and cultural exchangesacross the Straits," he said.

Visiting Chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party of China Lien Chan waves to well-wishers upon his arrival at the Beijing International Airport Thursday April 28, 2005.[Reuters]

Beijing is the second leg on his mainland visit itinerary, next to Nanjing, which used to be the capital of the Republic of China, and followed by Xi'an and Shanghai.

Upon his arrival in Nanjing Tuesday afternoon, Lien said at the aprons of Nanjing Lukou Airport that his visit to the mainland will be a "historical first step" for the promotion of cross-Straits relations.

This is the first time that the KMT chairman has set feet on the mainland since 1949 when the KMT lost a civil war to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and retreated to Taiwan, an island province opposite to eastern coastal Fujian Province.

After warm-ups led by KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung in March, Lien was invited by the CPC Central Committee and General Secretary Hu Jintao.

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