Lien Chan (second from left), former chairman of the Kuomintang in Taiwan, meets with Luo Huining (second from right), a top official from Shanxi province, in Taiyuan on May 2. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Luo Huining, a top official from Shanxi province, met a delegation from Taiwan led by Lien Chan, a former chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), in Taiyuan on April 2 for discussions on cross-Straits cooperation.

Luo recognized Lien Chan's contribution to improving cross-Straits relations. Shanxi and Taiwan have been expanding economic and cultural communication in recent years, but there is still great potential for further collaboration.

He expressed his hopes that the two sides will together promote cross-Straits tourism. Meanwhile, more companies and individuals from Taiwan are being encouraged to invest in Shanxi, sharing in the business opportunities brought about by the province’s industrial transformation and upgrading.

"We are all descendants of a common Chinese culture," said Lien Chan.

"Shanxi is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and we will continue to cooperate with the province so as to advance mutual growth," he added.

The delegation took part in a cross-Straits ceremony for worshipping ancestors which was held in Gaoping county on April 3, and will visit major cities in Shanxi including Jinzhong and Xinzhou, with the visit ending on May 5.