Two senior mainland envoys arrived in Taiwan yesterday to attend a memorial service for Taiwanese cross-strait negotiator Koo Chen-fu, but remained silent on whether they would meet President Chen Shui-bian at today's ceremony.
They were circumspect on arrival in Taipei to avoid giving any impression their visit marks a resumption of official mainland contacts with the island, suspended by Beijing over allegations that the island's government was pursuing a pro-independence course.
'Wang Daohan sent us as his personal representatives to extend condolences to Koo's family. He wants to express his respect for Koo, and we also want to express our greetings to the Taiwanese people,' said Sun Yafu , vice-chairman of the mainland's Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait (Arats).
Arats chairman Mr Wang and Koo, head of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, held a landmark meeting in Singapore in 1993, paving the way for improved cross-strait ties. The two met again in Shanghai in 1998, but that was their last meeting, as cross-strait relations later deteriorated.
Mr Wang, 90, who has been recuperating at a hospital in Shanghai, had said he wanted to pay his respects to Koo but was unable to do so because of his poor health.
Mr Sun is joined by Arats secretary-general Li Yafei and Arats research director Ma Xiaoguang on the 24-hour visit. Asked if he would meet Mr Chen at today's service, Mr Sun said: 'We respect the decision and arrangements made by the bereaved family.'
