Hu jintao, xi jinping relationship
Mr Lien says he hopes to encourage reconciliation between the two sides |
Mr Lien is due to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday.
Lien chan hu jin tao biography November 20, Succeeded by Fredrick Chien. Related Stories. After the journey of peace and having created an unequaled opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation across the Strait, he relinquished the helm of the party in July to assume an honorary chairmanship.It will be the first meeting between Nationalist and Communist Party leaders since the Nationalists fled to Taiwan after losing China's civil war in
Critics say Mr Lien, who steps down this year, sees the visit as a chance to ensure his political legacy.
Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favours independence from China, says Beijing is using the visit to try and split public opinion in Taiwan.
The Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang, were for decades implacably opposed to dealing with China's Communists. But since they lost power in they have increasingly favoured closer ties, especially for business reasons.
Hu haiqing Archived from the original on December 12, The couple has two sons and two daughters. Lien took an active role as a representative of Lee Teng-hui in quasi-official diplomacy in the mids. April breakthrough journey to mainland China [ edit ].Mr Lien arrived in the central Chinese city of Nanjing, the Nationalists' former capital.
"Taipei and Nanjing are not too distant, but it still took 60 years to come here. It certainly took too long to make the journey," Mr Lien told the official welcoming party.
The BBC's Caroline Gluck, in Taipei, said there were chaotic scenes and scuffles inside the airport before Mr Lien left as supporters and opponents of his visit clashed.
Hu jintao biography China's Legislative System. On May 2, he met with Wang Daohan , the year-old chairman of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits , and the representatives of Taiwanese businesspeople. May 22, On April 30, he headed to his birthplace Xi'an.At least two people were injured and had to be taken to hospital in the fighting, in which firecrackers, eggs, water bottles and bamboo sticks were used as weapons.
TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in China considers the island part of its territory China has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong Kong Most people in Taiwan support status quo |
Opponents chanted that Mr Lien was "selling Taiwan out" by going on the trip, our correspondent said.
The two groups had to be separated by heavily armed police, but Mr Lien avoided the trouble entirely having been taken into the airport via a VIP entrance.
Our correspondent says the already strained relations between China and Taiwan have worsened in the wake of China's recently passed anti-secession law, which legalises the use of force against Taiwan if the island declares independence.
Wen jiabao Page actions Read View source History. Xinhua News Agency April 28, Wikiquote has quotations related to Lien Chan. Both Chen and Lu were released from the hospital on the same day and went to vote on the next day.Government caution
Mr Lien, who was born in China, has called his trip to the mainland a journey of peace - saying he hopes it will help the two sides work towards reconciliation after more than half a century of conflict.
"I hope the journey will contribute in whatever small way towards mutual assistance, mutual concern, and the creation of a win-win situation," he said.
Mr Lien is being accompanied by senior officials from the Nationalist, or Kuomintang, party, and by more than reporters.
The government, initially strongly critical, is now cautiously backing the trip.
President Chen Shui-bian has said visits to China by opposition leaders would have his blessing if they acted according to the law and did not sign agreements with Beijing without government authorisation.
Another opposition leader, James Soong, head of the pro-unification People First Party, has also accepted an invitation to visit the mainland, and is expected to travel to China next month.