The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Taiwan Work Office and CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee jointly hosted a banquet for Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan and his delegation in Shanghai on Monday evening.

Han Zheng, deputy secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee, congratulated Lien Chan and his delegation on its successful visit to the mainland, saying that the visit made progress in promoting cross-Straits exchanges and dialogue.

"By exchanging views on promoting cross-Straits relations, the two parties brought the hearts of the people cross the Straits closer," Han said. "They also improved the peace and stability of the region," he said.

Speaking highly of Taiwan business people's contributions to Shanghai's social and economic development, Han said Shanghai welcomes more investment from Taiwan businesses.

Chen Yunlin, director of the CPC Central Committee Taiwan Work Office, said entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, his office and the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee held the banquet to see off the revered guests from Taiwan.

Chen said though Lien Chan's visit was only eight days, it opened a new page in the relations between the CPC and KMT.

Lien Chan said the delegation visited four cities "successfully and pleasantly."

Though the visit was not long, it marked the first step, which will bring further development, he said.

Lien said he believed that with the common effort of both parties, "a brighter future will come for sure."

Lien and his 60-member delegation arrived in Shanghai on Sunday on the last leg of their eight-day historic mainland tour.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2005)