LEAD: Taiwan's KMT leader Lien intends to visit China

Asian Political News, April 4, 2005

TOKYO, April 1 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING DETAILS)

Lien Chan, leader of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party (KMT), expressed his intention Friday to visit China.

Lien told reporters in Tokyo he wants to study the timing for a visit to China after returning to Taiwan.

In late March, the Chinese government said it invited Lien to visit the mainland.

Meeting in Beijing with KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung, Lien's second in command, Jia Qinglin, the No. 4 man in the Chinese Communist Party's decision-making Political Bureau, asked Lien to visit Beijing when he feels is appropriate.

If Lien visits China, he would likely meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, political observers say.

The Lien-Hu meeting would mark the first between a leader of the KMT, Taiwan's former ruling party, and a leader of communist-ruled China since the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan after losing a civil war 56 years ago.

According to Taiwanese media, Lien's visit to China would take place in mid-May at the earliest.

Taiwan has ruled itself since 1949, although Beijing insists it eventually be reunited and has threatened to attack if independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian, a fierce and longtime critic of the Communist Party leadership, moves toward a permanent political separation.

Chen has reacted against the ongoing talks between the KMT and China. Lien maintains relations between Taiwan and China have deteriorated, particularly after Chen became president of Taiwan in 2000.

Lien told reporters in Tokyo that topics to be discussed during his visit to China have yet to be decided.

But Lien indicated he wants to discuss ways to expand trade and economic cooperation between Taiwan and China as agreed on between KMT Vice Chairman Chiang and Chinese officials during Chiang's official visit to Beijing in March.

Chiang and Chinese officials agreed on measures to promote bilateral economic cooperation in such fields as finance, insurance, transport and services, including increasing chartered flights between China and Taiwan and promoting exports of Taiwanese-made farm products to China.

These measures should be implemented early for Taiwanese residents, Lien said.

Lien is currently in Japan to visit the World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture.