Chen Liangyu (2nd R), secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China met with Lien Chan following Lien's arrival in Shanghai.(Xinhua Photo)

Chen Liangyu presents gifts to  Lien Chan. (Xinhua Photo)

KMT Chairman Lien Chan shakes hands with representatives of Taiwan investors upon arrival at the Shanghai Putong International Airport May 1, 2005.

KMT Chairman Lien Chan delivers a speech upon arrival at the Shanghai.

Representatives of Taiwan investors welcome KMT Chairman Lien Chan.

    SHANGHAI, May 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) delegation from Taiwan headed by party Chairman Lien Chan arrived in Shanghai, the last leg of its eight-day mainland tour, on Sunday afternoon.

    The Pudong International Airport was in a chilly drizzle when the plane carrying Lien and his 60-member delegation landed at around 5 p.m. Sunday. Refusing to take an umbrella, Lien made thankful remarks to the welcoming crowd, saying he was "highly grateful" and "greatly moved."

    Lien said he has much to see and learn in Shanghai, a place he last visited more than 59 years ago and where a large number of Taiwan business people invest and live.

    He said he would make a speech "rich in content" on Monday.

    The delegation, which arrived in the mainland on Tuesday, has previously visited Nanjing, Beijing and Xi'an. During the Beijing visit, Lien had a historic meeting with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Friday, the first between top leaders of the two parties in 60 years.

    A press communique issued after the meeting says the CPC and KMT have agreed to work together to promote cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in five aspects, a result widely hailed as "an important step in the correct direction" and "a signal of peace" for cross-Straits relations. Enditem