Independence not a choice for Taiwan: Soong
The leader of Taiwan's second-largest opposition party kicked off his nine-day mainland visit yesterday with a resolute denouncement of independence for the island.
James Soong Chu-yu, chairman of the People First Party (PFP), said the aim was to 'build bridges of mutual trust, understanding and co-operation' between people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Armed with a personal message from Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to President Hu Jintao , Mr Soong's visit is expected to make concrete progress in achieving cross-strait exchanges.
Before the visit, Mr Soong reached a landmark 10-point consensus on cross-strait and international political reconciliation with Mr Chen. Mr Soong, who arrived on the heels of Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan's visit to the mainland, was quick to spell out his party's stance.
'Of all the political parties in Taiwan, the PFP has always insisted seriously, resolutely, unswervingly and consistently on the policy and stance of anti-Taiwan independence,' he said at Xianyang Airport in Xian .
'We, the PFP, are always of the view that Taiwan independence is not a choice for Taiwan.
'I am here to build a linkage of hearts. Once we link our hearts, everything else can flow together so we can work together to build a great future where Chinese people help Chinese people.'
Mr Soong, his wife, Viola Chan Wan-shui, and a 50-strong entourage were welcomed by the State Council's Office of Taiwan Affairs director Chen Yunlin and officials from Shaanxi province and Xian.
He stressed all people in Taiwan and the mainland were Chinese because they are 'descendants of the Yellow Emperor'.
Next week the PFP chairman will meet Mr Hu. Although Mr Soong's meeting with Mr Hu will not hold as much historical significance as Mr Lien's, it carries more significant political implications for the current state of cross-strait relations, establishing the PFP leader's role as a broker between Beijing and the independence-leaning Taiwanese president.
Mr Soong has denied he is acting as a special emissary for Mr Chen or the Taipei government, but does not rule out signing any agreements with Beijing.
