Political dialogue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is inevitable as both work closer to forge mutual trust, Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) said yesterday during a meeting with mainland China President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) in Beijing.

The head of Taiwan's top China policymaking body said yesterday that ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan's visit to China is private in nature, downplaying Lien's prediction that political dialogue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will become unavoidable in the future.

Like most overseas visitors, the 12,000 Amway employees headed here from mainland China will enjoy the warm hospitality, unique lifestyle and diverse cultural activities found in Taipei City.

China's top leader Xi Jinping said yesterday that Beijing will continue to promote the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's major opposition party bristled yesterday at the cross-strait formula Lien Chan (連戰) posed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing.

Ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan said Sunday that he is going to China to promote engagements across the Taiwan Strait.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang Yi, a former ambassador to Japan, has been tapped as China's new foreign minister, a Japanese business daily reported Sunday.

Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai on Friday touted the role of cultural exchanges in fostering mutual trust between the people of Taiwan and China and, ultimately, peace between the two sides.

Former Vice President Lien Chan (連戰) meets with China Communist Party leader Xi Jinping (習近平) next Monday, for talks likely to set the tone for upcoming cross-strait interaction.

Cabinet units are still considering whether to open two outlying front-line islets up to tourists, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday.