She reversed her decision to delay her visit and left for the Chinese capital, apparently in violation of her party's China policy, on a three-day tour of China.

Arriving in Beijing, Chen told the press it's about time for the Chinese to understand the stand her opposition part has taken vis-a-vis the People's Republic of China.

The pro-independence DPP policy is against any rapprochement between Taiwan and China.

Asked if hers is an “ice-breaking” tour, the mayor of the southern Taiwan special municipality said, “You may call it so.”

“I have no objection, if you guys think it is,” she told reporters. “I accept.”

She was welcomed to Beijing by officials of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. She was not carrying a Taiwan compatriot document, which is required of any visitor from the island to China. She was given a laissez passer to clear immigration.

The opposition party has had little contact with China in the past, Chen said.

“What we have heard about China has been piped through by one party (the Kuomintang) and that makes a difference between what's true and what our people on Taiwan know about China,” she pointed out.

Chen said her visit will make the Beijing government understand that in Taiwan there are opinions quite different from those of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT).

“I think it is very important for Beijing to understand what these people think, if it considers the question of Taiwan a very important question,” the Kaohsiung mayor said.

Kaohsiung is the biggest power base of the opposition party.

Officially, Chen is in China to promote the World Games her special municipality is hosting between July 16 and 26.

From Beijing she will proceed to Shanghai. She is scheduled to return to Kaohsiung on Sunday.

The KMT acknowledged the Chen visit would help promote relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

“We have asked the other side of the Strait to invite DPP leaders to visit China,” said KMT spokesman Lee Chien-ying. “We are glad,” he added, “the mayor of Kaohsiung is visiting despite opposition from her own party.”

Tsai Ing-wen, DPP chairwoman, said the Chen visit has nothing to do with her party's China policy.

“We are not applying a double standard,” Tsai said. “Chen Chu is visiting China as mayor of the city that is hosting the World Games, not as a member of the DPP,” she said, while stumping for her party's nominee for mayor of Keelung.