A delegation of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, arrived in Shanghai at noon on Tuesday for a mainland visit that will run through Sunday.
The delegation is scheduled to visit Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Beijing, marking the first time in a decade that a KMT chairperson has led a delegation to the Chinese mainland.
The visit is regarded as an important part of the exchanges and dialogue between the KMT and the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the new circumstances.
Strengthening exchanges and dialogue between the two parties, according to a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, will have a significant and positive impact on maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
Cheng was elected KMT chairwoman in October last year. Since taking office, she has repeatedly expressed her willingness to visit the mainland.
After accepting the invitation to visit the mainland, Cheng told a press conference in Taipei that the visit is in line with the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan.
Cheng arrives in Shanghai, kicking off KMT delegation's mainland visit
Cheng arrives in Shanghai, kicking off KMT delegation's mainland visit
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Tuesday that more than 14 million Iranians, including himself, are ready to sacrifice their lives to defend the country.
In a statement posted on his social media, X, the Iranian president wrote, "More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I, too, have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran."
Earlier, Pezeshkian issued an open letter to the American public, calling on them to look beyond the "machinery of misinformation" amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against his country.
Throughout its modern history, Iran "has never chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination," despite having endured occupation, invasion, and sustained pressure from global powers, he noted. "The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries."
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations via intermediaries, U.S. airstrikes inside Iran have continued, prompting Iranian officials to prepare for further attacks and casting doubt on whether talks will limit military action.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iranian president says ready to die for Iran with over 14 million Iranians
