US academics and former government officials landed in Taipei yesterday as part of the "track two" diplomacy across the Taiwan Strait prior to a visit to China.
The National Committee, a US-based think tank, led by former US defense secretary William Perry, arrived for a three-day visit, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"The purpose of their visit is to have a constructive and informative exchange of views focusing on US-Taiwan relations, cross-strait issues, US-China relations, anti-terrorism and domestic political and economic issues in Taiwan," the press release said.
The delegation is scheduled to visit Beijing after their short stay in Taiwan at a time when China has just witnessed a power transfer to the next generation of leaders in the 16th Communist Party cCngress that was concluded in Beijing on Thursday.
The delegation is to call on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Minister of National Defense Tang Yiau-min(湯曜明), Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) and other leading government officials, sources close to the group said.
The group will also visit Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (
Established in 1966, the National Committee on US-China relations is aimed at encouraging understanding of China and the US between citizens of both countries.
The think tank is collaborating with Stanford University and Harvard University on the Preventive Defense Project.
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