NANJING, China -Taiwan's opposition leader arrived in China yesterday on a history-making trip aimed at easing tensions with Beijing, which is threatening to attack if the self-ruled island pursues formal independence.
Lien Chan's visit is the first by a Nationalist Party leader to the mainland since the party, which once ruled both Taiwan and China, lost a civil war to the communists in 1949 and fled the mainland. His visit includes a meeting Friday with Chinese President Hu Jintao -the first encounter between leaders of the two former foes in six decades.
Relations between the Nationalists and communists have warmed in recent years as they found a common cause in their opposition to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, whose party wants formal independence.
The Nationalist leader said he hopes to promote economic ties and ease tensions with Beijing.
We hope our friends from both sides can seize this opportunity to move forward for our mutual benefit and coexistence
Lien told reporters in Taipei before boarding his flight under heavy police protection.
Scuffles broke out at Taipei's airport between Lien supporters and egg-throwing protesters who accused him of pandering to Beijing.
The rival groups shoved, kicked and punched each other. Lien supporters, gripping flags, tried to break through a police cordon but were pushed back.
Beijing has threatened repeatedly to attack if Taiwan tries to make its de facto independence permanent or continues to put off talks on unification. China's parliament enacted a law in March authorizing military action.
Lien arrived by chartered plane in the eastern city of Nanjing, the Nationalists' former capital. He planned to pay respects at the grave of Nationalist founder Sun Yat-sen -claimed by both sides as their hero -before traveling to Beijing to meet Hu.
Lien was accompanied on the plane by about 150 party members.
The mainland government has been trying to isolate Taiwanese President Chen and pro-independence activists by forging ties with its former enemy the Nationalists and other opposition parties that favor eventually uniting Taiwan with the mainland.
Lien's deputy party chairman visited Beijing in March. Another leading opposition figure, James Soong, has accepted an invitation to visit the mainland and his party says he might come next month.
Chen supporters say Lien's visit plays into Beijing's attempts to isolate Chen and divide Taiwanese society.
Chen's government has threatened to charge Lien with treason if he signs any deals in Beijing without government authorization.
But the president has mellowed in recent days, saying Lien could use his tour to toss a stone to test the water of reconciliation. 17
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The Associated Press
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Taiwan's opposition leader Lien Chan and his wife Lien Fang Yu wave as they arrive at the Lukou airport in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, yesterday. Lien's visit is the first by a Nationalist Party leader to the mainland since the part
