Mainland's Taiwan affairs chief highlights long-waited trip

The Chinese mainland's Chief of Taiwan Affairs is calling for continuous efforts to boost cross-Strait ties. Zhang Zhijun made the comment when meeting with Wang Yu-chi, director of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council in Taipei. Zhang expressed hope that both sides can further enhance trust, step up communication and cooperation, and boost grass-root exchanges between people, especially the younger generation, from both sides of the Strait. Zhang is the first mainland official of his status to visit the island since 1949. It is the second meeting between the two officials this year. Wang visited the mainland in February. Zhang is scheduled to visit New Taipei City, Taichung, Kaohsiung and meet the mayors of the three cities during his four-day trip. Zhang Zhijun is mmeeting Taiwan's mainland affairs chief Wang Yu-chi, who visited the mainland in February. Xie Yu with the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says the return visit aims to establish two-way, normalized and direct communications between the two cross-strait Chiefs. "If we say that Wang's visit in February established procedures for regular communications, then Zhang's return visit normalizes and matures those procedures. It means political interaction between the mainland and Taiwan will move forward. It will explore new space for future political trust and further political exchanges." A recent poll in Taiwan indicates 51 % of respondents say Taiwan should welcome Zhang Zhijun, who is considered a guest. 35% of respondents say they are more stronly in favour of Zhang's visit. Xie Yu says the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's change in attitude about Zhang's visit is a direct result of changing attitudes among citizens on the island. "The DPP's attitude has changed, thanks to changes in cross-straits relations in the past six years, and changing public opinion in Taiwan. The DPP has to change its attitude. Most of Taiwan's people are willing to see peaceful development between the two sides. But we still wait and see whether the DPP's basic stance will change." During this visit, Zhang is due to meet with regular people in Taiwan, especially from central and southern regions, traditional strongholds of the DPP. Xie Yu says the move by Zhang aims to understand their lives and listen to their views and suggestions on cross-Strait ties. "Before the visit, some people from Taiwan have expressed opinions on whether the mainland's beneficial policies toward Taiwan have met expectations and interests of Taiwan's people. These opinions have been heard. Therefore, Zhang Zhijun will communicate with the public face to face, in a bid to hammer out future policies towards Taiwan which will adhere to the Taiwan public interests, and the dividends can be shared by ordinary people from both sides. " Zhang Zhijun will wrap up his trip on Saturday. For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.