James Soong (holding the inscription, centre),
chairman of People First Party in Taiwan, shows his inscription describing his
feelings upon finishing a visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre
shortly after his arrival in the East China metropolis yesterday afternoon. -
Xinhua
James Soong, chairman of People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, arrived in
Shanghai yesterday afternoon to attend a non-governmental forum with the theme
of promoting economic ties across the Taiwan Straits.
The three-day Cross-Straits Non-governmental Forum of Elites, which opens
today, is jointly sponsored by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) Central Committee and PFP's Policy Research Centre.
Unlike his first visit to the mainland four months ago, the Shanghai trip
mainly focuses on business issues, Soong said upon arrival at Pudong
International Airport.
"With Shanghai becoming a top economic and trade hub of the world and the
Yangtze River Delta emerging as a new economic powerhouse, the region is a very
important base for Taiwanese businesses," he said.
The Shanghai trip is not only one of reconciliation, but also a trip of
co-operation and business exchanges, said Soong.
The forum, attended by approximately 150 party leaders, business elites and
senior scholars from both sides, focuses on four topics, including the role and
status of Taiwanese investors on the mainland, agricultural co-operation,
normalization of investment, and in particular, direct cross-Straits shipping,
postal and trade links known as the "three links."
Soong and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin will deliver keynote speeches this
morning. Soong will also jointly host the opening of the forum, together with
Chen Yunlin, director of the CPC Central Committee's Taiwan Affairs Office.
The forum is regarded as a step towards realizing the consensus reached
between Soong and CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao during their
talks in Beijing in May. Both parties agreed to maintain dialogue.
The mainland has taken a series of concrete steps to facilitate cross-Straits
business and exchanges of personnel since Soong's visit in May and an earlier
visit by the then Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan.
The mainland waived the import taxes on 15 kinds of Taiwan fruits starting
from August 1, in addition to continued efforts to smooth passenger transport
and chartered freight flights across the Straits, and simplify Taiwan
compatriots' entry into and exit of mainland.
The mainland education authorities have equalized tuition fees for Taiwan
students studying in mainland universities, and are considering offering special
scholarships for Taiwan students studying in mainland colleges.
"There are still some issues that need further efforts from both sides, and
the forum in Shanghai will provide a good opportunity for discussion," PFP
Secretary-General Chin Chin-sheng was quoted by Taiwan local media as saying
prior to the Shanghai trip.