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Soong seeks spirits in Xian

People First Party Chairman James Soong and his wife, Chen Wan-shui, arrive at Xian airport in Xian, China, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Speaking in Xian on the first day of his trip to China, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) said that he was moved to finally be able to set foot on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

"Everyone knows that the Strait between the two shores is only 100-odd kilometers wide, but it is moving for myself and [Chen] Wan-shui [陳萬水, Soong's wife] that it took us more than 50 years to cross the very narrow divide that is the Taiwan Strait," Soong said after arriving in Xian yesterday afternoon.

He was greeted at the airport by Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office director Chen Yunlin (陳雲林).

Speaking at Xian's airport upon arrival, Soong talked of his hopes for the trip and emphasized the "similar interests" shared by citizens of China and Taiwan as "common descendants of Yan Di."

Legend says that Yan Di was the father of Chinese agriculture and one of the first ancestors of the "Chinese people."

"I chose Xian as our first stop in China for two reasons. First, to look for the origin of our bloodline, and second, to build a bridge to the future," Soong said.

All Taiwanese, whether they are Hakka, Mainlander or Hoklo, trace their bloodlines to China, and thus were all Chinese people, he said.

In a play on words, Soong said that he hoped his journey would establish a "fourth direct link" -- a connection between the spirits of all "descendants of Yan Di."

"Many supporters asked me whether or not I would be able to facilitate the establishment of the `three direct links.' I've told them it is more important that I establish the `fourth link,' the link between the spirits on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," Soong said.

After visiting the Huangdi Mausoleum today, Soong is scheduled to fly to Nanjing.

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