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Pandas on agenda for Lien's meeting with Hu Jintao

Kicking off the beginning of the Beijing leg of his trip in China, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) said yesterday that he looks forward to discussing cross-strait issues with Chinese President Chairman Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, during their meeting today.

Lien said he hopes to help establish a future beneficial relationship for both sides of the Taiwan Strait through his dialogue with Hu.

Speaking upon his arrival in Beijing yesterday, Lien said that he anticipates speaking with Hu, on topics important to cross-strait relations such as peace, the economy and cultural exchanges.

ARRIVAL REMARKS

"Everyone is concerned about cross-strait relations and how to establish a peaceful future for the Taiwan Strait in which both sides win through the process of reconciliation and dialogue," Lien said yesterday morning at Beijing Capital International Airport to the cheers of elementary-school children who had been gathered by the local authorities to greet him.

"I believe that this is the common wish of the citizens on both sides of the strait and is our historical responsibility," he said.

Also on hand to welcome Lien was Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin (陳雲林).

Lien will be in Beijing until tommorrow, after which he will head to Xian. He attended a banquet hosted by Jia Qinglin (賈慶林), chairman of China's People's Political Consultative Conference, last night.

After making a speech at Peking University this morning, Lien is scheduled to meet with Hu at 3pm.

Lien yesterday referred to Hu as "chairman" throughout his remarks at the airport, answering previous questions local media had about what title he would use to refer to Hu.

The KMT has steadfastly maintained that during Lien's trip, it would uphold the Constitution of the Republic of China, which in its text includes "the mainland" within its jurisdiction.

PANDA PROPOSAL

Resolving another matter of speculation, Hong Kong media reported yesterday that Hu is preparing to donate pandas to Taiwan in honor of Lien's visit as has been rumored by Taiwanese reporters.

According to the Wen Wei Po yesterday, Chinese government officials confirmed rumors on Tuesday that Hu plans to present the pandas when he meets with Lien today.

According to the report, unnamed government officials confirmed that Hu is planning to announce a plan to donate at least one panda to Taiwan via Lien during today's meeting.

However, said the newspaper, the Chinese officials refused to comment on the number of pandas to be sent or other details of the donation.
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