Premier Jiang Yi-huah says the trip by China’s top Taiwan policymaker Zhang Zhijun is historically significant. The premier was speaking Thursday during a Cabinet meeting.
Zhang is the head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. He was the first ministerial-level Chinese official to visit Taiwan. Zhang stayed in Taiwan for four days and cut short the trip over the weekend following scuffles between protesters and his security detail.
The premier said although the trip was marred by violent protests, it helped promote direct communication between policymakers across the Taiwan Strait and was crucial to cross-strait relations.
The premier also said the two sides will discuss several key issues, including humanitarian visits to detainees held by the other side and the possibility of allowing Chinese tourists to stop over in Taiwan without an entry permit.
The premier also said all related government agencies involved in protecting Zhang Zhijun’s personal safety did their best.