Mainland's Taiwan affairs chief arrives for Taiwan visit

The Chinese mainland chief of Taiwan affairs, Zhang Zhijun, arrived at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday at noon for a four-day visit to Taiwan.

He is the first director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office to visit the island.

During his visit, Zhang is scheduled to meet Taiwan's mainland affairs chief Wang Yu-chi. It will be their second meeting this year. Wang visited the mainland in February.

At the airport, Zhang greeted Taiwan compatriots in the southern Fujian dialect of Hokkien, which is the main language spoken in Taiwan.

Zhang said he will exchange views with Wang on the development of cross-Strait relations, and will meet Taiwanese people to understand their lives and listen to their views and suggestions on cross-Strait ties.

"Although challenges remain between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, I believe that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will work with each other and embrace a brighter future," said Zhang.

Chang Hsien-yao, deputy chief of Taiwan's mainland affairs, greeted Zhang at the airport.

Zhang was also welcomed by local Taiwanese and non-governmental organizations, who chanted slogans such as "the more exchanges we have, the closer we are".

Zhang will meet with Wang Yu-chi on Wednesday afternoon.

During his trip, Zhang is scheduled to visit New Taipei City, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Changhua County.

(Updated at 15:00)