Taiwan official arrives for groundbreaking meeting

Wang Yu-chi, Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, arrived in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province, on Tuesday morning for a four-day visit.

He will hold the first formal meeting with his mainland counterpart Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in Nanjing on Tuesday afternoon.

Wang's visit is considered an important breakthrough in promoting cross-Strait relations on the basis of adhering to the "1992 consensus" and deepening mutual political trust.

Before his departure from Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan, Wang told local media that he hopes to improve understanding and exchange views with his mainland counterpart.

Without the favorable development of cross-Strait relations since 2008, this visit would not have happened so easily, he said, adding, "This is a hard-earned chance and I hope it will go well."

Wang, who leads a delegation of more than 20 people, will visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing and deliver a speech at Nanjing University.

Shanghai will be his second stop. He will meet mainland experts on Taiwan issues as well as visiting Radio and Television Shanghai and a school for children of mainland-based Taiwanese businesspeople, according to the agenda.