Taiwan hosted its first official delegation from mainland China on Saturday since the implementation of COVID-19 control measures in 2020.File photo courtesy of Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA-EFE
February 18 (United Press International) — A group of Chinese representatives visited Taiwan on Saturday, the first visit by an official Chinese delegation since the founding of the country. Coronavirus disease The pandemic started.
Five people including Li Xiaodong, deputy director of the Shanghai Office of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Mainland, landed on Around 11 a.m. local time in Taipei. They were invited by the Taiwanese government to participate in the Taiwan Lantern Festival, an event that marks the end of the Lunar New Year season.
advertise
Under heavy security escort, officials did not speak to media, South China Morning Post Report.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries as China seeks to draw Taiwan further into its sphere of influence.
Taiwan independence groups protested the delegation’s visit there, chanting slogans such as “Get out of China” and holding signs reading “Taiwan, China, one country on each side”. according to to the Liberty Times.
The delegation was originally scheduled to have lunch and dinner with officials of the Taipei City Government and visit the Taipei Music Center in the afternoon.
Chinese delegation say they want This visit will help to normalize the “healthy” exchanges between the two sides, enhance friendship and mutual understanding.