Xinhua vice president to visit Taiwan

Xinhua News Agency's vice president Yu Shaoliang will head a group of media representatives from the mainland to Taiwan, Fan Liqing, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Wednesday.

Fan said that the group would be in Taiwan from Dec. 25 to 31, during which they would visit media companies in Taiwan and discuss strengthening cross-Strait media exchange with their Taiwanese peers.

Fan said the visit was part of a series of cross-Strait exchanges ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 19.

The two sides will also hold a science and technology forum, an exhibition on cultural innovation and traditional culture, as well as a concert organized by a mainland entertainment TV show.

"Cross-Strait exchanges conform to the direct interests of the peoples from both sides ..., we hope patriots from both sides will safeguard and actively take part in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation," Fan added.