Ranking China leader to stay in South for first time in two years

Huang, who characterized his visit as one for “meeting relatives and friends as well as doing business,” Huang will visit Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung.

Some analysts view Huang's itinerary in the south as the easing by the Chinese government the unofficial ban against visiting the area, widely regarded as the base of Taiwan independence camp. No high-ranking mainland officials had stayed in Taiwanese regions south of Yunlin after Zhang Mingqing, vice-chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), was attacked during his visit to Tainan in 2008.

Local media said the delegation from Fujian may file orders worth hundreds of millions.

Another group of Chinese companies on a purchasing mission to Taiwan has pledged to buy up to US$766 million worth of goods from the island, officials said Wednesday.

Fourteen firms from Fujian province in southeast China have signed letters of intent with Taiwanese suppliers to make the purchases within the next year, the semi-official Taiwan External Trade Development Council said.

The products range from agricultural produce and textiles to chemicals and electronics, it added.

In recent months, China has sent a number of purchasing missions to Taiwan as a high-profile way of helping the island's economy by boosting exports.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, although the island has been self-governed since the end of their civil war in 1949.

But ties have warmed since the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou administration took office in 2008, with the two sides signing agreements that have led to regular direct flights, increased investment opportunities and a tourist boom.

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