A spokeswoman in Shanghai said Wednesday that Shanghai welcomes the delegation of the Kuomintang (KMT) party of China led by KMT Chairman Lien Chan.

"At the final stop of their tour to the mainland, Mr. Lien will give a speech on trade and economic issues across the Taiwan Strait and will speak to Taiwan business people in Shanghai as well as local entrepreneurs," Jiao Yang, a spokeswoman with the Shanghai municipal government, said at a press conference.

She said the delegation will also visit the city museum, an urban planning exhibition hall and tour the Huangpu River.

"We've instructed Shanghai's airports, hotels, travel services, health and public security departments to prepare themselves and serve the guests well," she said.

Lien's visit to the Chinese mainland has also peaked the interest of Shanghai residents.

"It's one of the hottest topics in our office over the past two days," said Yao Yun, an office worker. "I hope it'll help promote exchanges across the Straits."

Lien arrived at Nanjing, the first leg of his mainland visit, on Tuesday. He and his delegation will also visit Shanghai, a financial hub and a magnet for Taiwan investment, Beijing and Xi'an.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2005)