China's envoy arrives in Taiwan for historic talks

Chen Yunlin arrived in Taipei on a charter flight from Beijing for talks on strengthening economic ties, as supporters of independence for the island staged demonstrations and planned mass rallies against his visit.

He landed amid tight security at Taiwan's international airport just before midday (0400 GMT) for a five-day visit during which he will meet his Taiwanese counterparts, as well as the islands President Ma Ying-jeou.

In a sign of warming ties, Chen, head of Chinas Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), was accompanied by a delegation of more than 60 officials and business leaders.

Chen waved to waiting reporters as he descended from his plane to be met by Kao Koong-lian, the vice chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, the local equivalent of ARATS.

After arriving at Taipei's Grand Hotel, he told a brief welcoming ceremony the talks were a "milestone" in cross-strait relations.

"Peaceful development is the wish for both sides. Communication will promote mutual trust and cooperation will lead to a win-win situation," Chen said.

"The talks between the two organizations are the way to promote peaceful developments and they are the joint expectations of the people on both sides."

The talks would benefit both parties, he said, adding they would "not cover political issues".

Local television reported, however, that Chen is likely to meet President Ma on Thursday, during which Ma could ask that Beijing remove missiles -- believed to number up to 1,000 -- targeting the island.

This week's meetings aim to build on talks held in Beijing in June, the first direct dialogue between the two sides after a 10-year gap, which led to the launch of regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait and measures to boost tourism.

Chen confirmed agreements would be signed on direct passenger and cargo flights and shipping links, direct postal services, and food safety issues.

Boosting tourism would also be discussed, Chen said. The June talks agreed a daily quota of 3,000 Chinese tourists to Taiwan, but China still restricts travel to Taiwan of its citizens.

The two sides would "exchange views" on how to deal with the impact of the current global financial problems, he said, without further detail.

Envoys will also hold a joint press conference on exchanges of endangered species, with China making good on a 2005 offer to the islands main zoo of two giant pandas.

China and Taiwan have been split since 1949, when Mao Zedong's Communists vanquished the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) who fled across the strait to the island.

Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island of 23 million, and has vowed to retake it, by force if necessary.

Officials say more than 7,000 police have been deployed to ensure Chen's safety, after his deputy Zhang Mingqing was jostled and knocked to the ground by anti-China protesters during a visit to Taiwan last month.

Supporters of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) plan large demonstrations throughout Chen's stay.

DPP organizers said they expected up to 100,000 people to gather outside parliament on Monday night, despite persistent drizzle, to kick off a three-day sit-in that would culminate with a mass rally on Wednesday.

Chen's presence here has become a flashpoint for anti-China protesters who fear closer ties could erode the island's sovereignty, although analysts have pointed to the economic benefits they would bring.

Sporadic protests erupted throughout Monday, with some anti-China groups even offering cash rewards to protesters who throw eggs at Chen, with a direct hit to his face worth 1,000 Taiwan dollars ($30).

Members of the Falungong spiritual movement, which is banned in China, were prevented from protesting, and television showed two Tibetan independence supporters with a Tibetan flag, also banned in China.

Protesters outside Chen's hotel unfurled banners reading: "The communists are coming."

"I don't trust the Ma government," said a protester in her 60s, referring to the president's policy of moving the island closer to China.

"I think it is going to sell out Taiwan to China," she said.

Photo: AFP