The Communist Party of China has invited James Soong, chairman of Taiwan's People First Party, to bring a delegation from his organization to the mainland, a senior official said in Beijing yesterday.
The invitation came from President Hu Jintao and the Central Committee of the CPC.
Yesterday's announcement came from Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, who said he hoped the PFP would send representatives to the mainland as soon as possible for consultations over the arrangements for Soong's trip.
"We believe that Chairman Soong's visit will help promote exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and contribute to the stability of cross-strait relations," said Chen, who also heads the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet.
Lien Chan, chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang Party, or KMT, is also due to visit the mainland soon.
"We feel this is a very big goodwill gesture, and Chairman James Soong has decided to accept the invitation," said Chang Hsien-yao, a senior PFP official. He said Soong might visit in May.
Last month, KMT Vice-Chairman Chiang Pin- kung brought the party's first delegation to the mainland since 1949 in what he called "an icebreaking trip."
KMT Secretary-General Lin Feng-cheng arrived in Beijing yesterday afternoon to make arrangements for Lien's upcoming mainland trip.
Lin is scheduled to hold talks with the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee to finalize the details of Lien's visit, according to the office.