|
KMT, CPC parties open historic dialogue
By Xing Zhigang, Song Wenwei (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-31 06:37
Beijing yesterday hailed the Koumintang's (KMT) historic mainland visit as
the opening of a party-to-party dialogue between the KMT and the Communist Party
of China (CPC).
Chiang Pin-kun,
vice-chairman of the Taiwan-based Chinese Kuomintang Party, bows to pay
tribute to a statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen at Sun's mausoleum in Nanjing,
Jiangsu Province March 30, 2005. Dr Sun is the pioneer of Chinese
revolution and the founding father of the republic. Chiang and his
delegation will also visit Beijing and meet senior officials from the
Communist Party of China before the end of their trip on Friday.
[newsphoto] | Led by vice-chairman Chiang
Pin-kung, the 34-member KMT delegation were making the party's first official
trip to the mainland in 56 years.
"The visit opened party-to-party dialogue between your party and our party,"
said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central
Committee.
"It is of special significance (as the visit) will contribute to Taiwan's
stability and development and strengthen cross-Straits economic and trade
co-operation."
He made the remarks in a speech at a banquet held in honour of the KMT
delegation at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.
The director said the KMT visit offered a chance for both parties to exchange
views on issues of common concern and those relating to cross-Straits economic
co-operation.
"We believe our communication will become an important driving force to push
forward cross-Straits exchanges as long as our views conform to the interests
and needs of people on both sides," he said.
|
Chiang Pin-Kun, vice-chairman of the
Taiwan-based Chinese Kuomintang party (KMT), prays during a visit to the
Guangzhou Huanghuagang Martyr Cemetery March 29, 2005. The cemetery was in
memory of martyrs killed in the Huanghuagang Uprising, led by Dr Sun
Yat-sen, to overthrow the rule of the late corrupt Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911) government in April of 1911.
[newsphoto]
| Chen added that it has been
Beijing's long-standing and consistent policy to engage in consultation with any
political parties, organizations and representatives in Taiwan who recognize the
1992 consensus, oppose "Taiwan independence," and support the development of
cross-Straits relations.
"Striving for a win-win situation through closer cross-Straits exchanges and
co-operation has become an unstoppable trend," he stressed.
Common aspiration
"No opposition or hurdle will stop the common aspiration of people across the
Straits for co-operation."
Chen was apparently referring to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party
administration's passive attitude towards developing cross-Straits relations.
Chiang hoped his party's visit could become an "ice-breaking trip" to help
end the current stalemate in cross-Straits relations.
"We hope cross-Straits talks can be resumed and cross-Straits tensions eased
through our efforts," Chiang said while addressing the dinner.
Speaking of the march organized by the DPP to protest against the
newly-passed Anti-Secession Law, Chiang said, "Confrontation and tension do not
benefit economic prosperity on either side."
|
Chiang Pin-kun,
vice-chairman of the Taiwan-based Chinese Kuomintang Party, is surrounded
by reporters upon arrival at the Capital International Airport in Beijing
March 30, 2005. [newsphoto]
| The 72-year-old
KMT vice- chairman emphasized that cross-Straits peace will be achieved through
stronger economic ties and resolving differences between Taiwan and the
mainland.
Last night, the group also held a four-hour work meeting with officials from
the Taiwan Work Office, customs, ministries of commerce and agriculture, the
General Administration of Civil Aviation of China and other departments.
They reached consensus on a wide-range of issues including the establishment
of regular cross-Straits charter flights, the sale of Taiwanese agricultural
products to the mainland and wider access to the mainland market by Taiwan
service industries.
The KMT and CPC co-operated in the 1920s and again during the War of
Resistance against Japanese Invasion in 1930s and 1940s.
Earlier yesterday in Nanjing, representing KMT Chairman Lien Chan and all
party members, the delegation paid homage at the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-sen,
founder of the KMT,
"This place is central to our Chinese history. Dr Sun Yat-sen, who started
the Chinese democratic revolution, is buried here and Nanjing was the capital of
the Kuomintang party for many years," said Chiang.
Chiang's visit to the mausoleum is of great importance as this year marks the
80th anniversary of Dr Sun Yat-sen's death.
(China Daily 03/31/2005 page1)
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
