The international community and overseas Chinese have reacted positively to the current Mainland visit by Lien Chan, chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) of China.

Lien arrived in Nanjing on Tuesday afternoon to start an eight-day Mainland visit, the first time a KMT leader has set foot on the Mainland in more than half a century.

The European Union (EU) expressed welcome to Lien's visit to the mainland.

"Our position on the cross-Straits relations remains the same, that is, we adhere to the one-China policy and encourage any move to improve cross-Strait relations through peaceful means," said Emma Udwin, spokeswoman for external relations of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

"Anything that helps improve the cross-Straits ties will be welcomed," she stressed.

In Japan, overseas Chinese and Chinese-Japanese said they believe the tour not only helps ease tensions across the Taiwan Straits, but also conforms to the willingness of the Taiwan people for a stable relationship.

Amid strained cross-Straits relations, Lien's visit is very significant in helping alleviate the tense situation, said Yin Qiuxiong, chairman of the association of overseas Chinese and Chinese-Japanese in Japan.

He said overseas Chinese in Japan have high expectations about the scheduled talks between Lien and Chinese Communist Party leader Hu Jintao, hoping the meeting will lead to the break of the deadlock of the cross-Straits relations.

The majority of the Taiwan compatriots favor Lien's tour and object to the Taiwan authorities' policy toward the mainland, Yin said, citing a latest survey in Taiwan.

In Singapore, the leading Straits Times newspaper hailed the visit as a platform to demonstrate cross-Straits "goodwill and collaboration" which "can reduce tension and lead eventually to a settlement."

Chinese Thais looked at Lien's trip as a good movement and all Chinese Thai societies strongly supported it, said Boonyong Yongcharoenrat, president of Thai Young Chinese Chamber of Commerce and also secretary general of World Chinese Unity Thailand Center.

"Lien Chan's Mainland trip is of historic significance that will positively improve exchanges cross the Straits between civilians and in fields of politics, economy and culture," he said.

Boonyong's affirmation of Lien's trip is echoed by local Chinese newspapers.

Sing Sian Yit Pao, a local Chinese daily, published two editorials on Tuesday, hailing Lien's trip as a milestone in relations of the two sides cross the Straits.

World Daily, a Chinese daily having subscribers worldwide, also published a commentary lauding Lien's trip as of historic significance.

Overseas Chinese in Myanmar welcomed Lien's mainland trip. Huang Yaoting, chairman of the Myanmar-Guangdong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the visit is an event that overseas Chinese love to see and hear, and support. It also indicates the Chinese government and people's sincere hope and firm determination for peaceful reunification, he added.

Lu Zhenpin, chairman of the Fujian Natives' Association in Myanmar, urged overseas Chinese to unite further in opposition to "Taiwan independence" and strive for peaceful reunification at the earliest possible date.

In Spain, the Overseas Chinese Association issued a statement backing Lien's visit to the Mainland. It is a good beginning for cross-Straits dialogue, representing a new opportunity for the development of relations and peace and stability, the statement said.

The overseas Chinese in Spain stand firm for the reunification of China and against "Taiwan independence," said the statement.

Cai Weizhou, deputy chief of Cyprus-China Friendship Association, said the trip came after China passed the Anti-Secession Law, illustrating the fact that the majority of Taiwanese hope for improvement of cross-Straits relations. It will be in the fundamental interests of Chinese as a whole to settle the Taiwan question under the one-China principle, Cai said.

Overseas Chinese in Africa see the visit as an approval of one-China principle, but a heavy blow to those preaching "Taiwan independence."

Ye Beiyang, president of the African Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said Lien's visit will have great impacts on politics in Taiwan and more and more people will follow the suit.

Besides Lien, James C. Y. Soong, chairman of the Taiwan-based People First Party, is also scheduled to visit the Mainland in May.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2005)