Taiwan trip a milestone in Cross-Straits links

BEIJING - Zhang Zhijun, China’s chief Taiwan affairs official, has begun a four-day trip to Taiwan, the first senior official to visit since 1949. Said Zhang:"It took me only three hours to fly from Beijing to Taipei. However, it has taken 65 years for cross-Straits ties to take this step."

During a meeting with Wang Yu-chi, Director of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, Zhang said cross-Straits ties should be boosted continuously, even though many challenges remain. He said the two sides should boost political trust, maintain peaceful cross-Straits ties, and enhance co-operation to build mutual understanding. Zhang is scheduled to visit New Taipei City, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, meet the mayors of the three cities, and chat with experts, college students, farmers, fishermen, members of minority groups, religious figures, and businessmen.

Cross-Straits communications have been growing stronger, and both sides have expressed an interest in a landmark meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Ma Ying-jeou, although no timetable has been set. Student protests in Taiwan recently derailed a services trade pact, but both China and Taiwan have signalled their desire to continue enhancing trade talks. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).