Mainland delegation arrives in Taiwan after ECFA signed
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A delegation from southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region arrived in Taiwan Thursday, becoming the first mainland delegation after the two sides signed an economic pact in Chongqing Tuesday.
The delegation, with more than 1,000 members, is led by Guo Shengkun, chief of Guangxi regional committee of the Communist Party of China.
"We can be regarded as the earliest beneficiary of ECFA. We are here to feel the vibe brought about by its signing," Guo told the press at the Taoyuan Airport in Taipei.
He said he hoped to seize the opportunity to promote the economic and cultural cooperation between Guangxi and Taiwan.
During the five-day visit, Guo will meet senior officials of the Kuomintang (KMT) Party, local business leaders, farmers and ethnic minorities.
"We come here to deepen the cooperation with Taiwan, to visit friends and learn from the Taiwan people," he said at a meeting with Wu Po-hsiung, KMT honorary chairman.
Guangxi would like to learn from Taiwan about the latest technologies and management expertise, especially in agriculture, he said.
The two sides might also discuss how to attract more Taiwan investment to Guangxi and explore Southeast Asian markets, he said.
Guangxi has played an increasingly important role in the mainland market as it has become a gateway to Southeast Asian countries after the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area took effect, said Wu at the meeting.
"We can expect that more Taiwan businesses will invest in Guangxi and the two sides will begin cooperation in more fields, which are mutually beneficial," he said.
Through the delegation's visit, Taiwan and Guangxi can also have better cultural exchanges to further warm cross-Straits relations, he said.
As cross-Straits relations dramatically changed in the past few years, the two sides should increase their goodwill and improve mutual trust through such exchanges, he said.
Guo also met with Lien Chan, KMT honorary chairman, on Thursday evening.
With its geographic advantage, Guangxi will play a very positive role in promoting cross-Strait trade and economic cooperation, which is set to boom after the ECFA takes effect, Lien announced at the meeting.
He also hoped the region might help bridge Taiwan businesses with Southeast Asian markets.
The delegation will jointly host a trade and cultural forum with Taiwan business organizations during the visit, according to a statement from the Guangxi government.
The delegation also planned to purchase Taiwan farm produce, though the statement did not release details.
During the visit, a musical adapted from Guangxi folk tales and an acrobatic play will be staged and a fair for films, TV plays and radio programs will be held in Taipei.
Last May, Guangxi sent a large delegation to Taiwan, headed by Ma Biao, the region's chairman.
According to the regional government, investment from Taiwan to Guangxi has increased by an average 35 percent annually during the past few years.
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