The former chairman of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang, Lien Chan, visited scenic spots in Shenyang yesterday, leaving behind controversy surrounding his party over the selection of an envoy to attend an Apec summit.
The former KMT head - who was made honorary KMT chairman after he stepped down in August - arrived in the northeastern city, the former home city of his elderly mother, in the afternoon to be greeted at the airport by Chen Yunlin , director of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office. Taiwanese media described the reception for Mr Lien, who made history with a mainland visit in April, as equivalent to that for a state leader, though the former KMT head chose to play down his latest trip.
'He was accompanied by [Taiwan affairs] officials all the way from the airport to the hotel, and a dinner was hosted by Chen Yunlin,' Taiwan's TVBS news reported.
In April, Mr Lien became the first KMT leader to visit the mainland since 1949. During his landmark visit, dubbed a 'journey of peace', he met President Hu Jintao to discuss how to improve cross-strait ties and increase economic exchanges.
The mainland's semi-official China News Service said Mr Lien met Liaoning party secretary Li Keqiang at last night's dinner. The news agency said Mr Lien, who was leading a 20-strong delegation, also spent time on a sightseeing tour of a Shenyang river.
Mr Lien is representing his 97-year-old mother, Chao Lan-kun, in visiting relatives in the northeast of the mainland and paying respects to their ancestors. Ms Chao, who graduated from Shenyang girls' college, has never returned to the city since moving to Taiwan with Mr Lien's late father. Mr Lien, who is being accompanied by his wife, Fang Yu, children and son-in-law, will visit Shandong , Hunan and Sichuan provinces before returning to Taiwan on October 28.