Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kun waves upon his arrival in Beijing, capital of China, June 11, 2008. A delegation headed by Chiang Pin-kun arrived in Beijing around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday to attend talks with the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). It will be the first talks between the SEF and ARATS after they resumed contacts after a suspension of nine years.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A delegation headed by the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kun arrived in Beijing around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday to attend talks with the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS).

    It will be the first talks between the SEF and ARATS after they resumed contact after a suspension of nine years.

Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (2nd L) is welcomed by Zheng Lizhong (2nd R), vice president of Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), upon his arrival in Beijing, capital of China, June 11, 2008. A delegation headed by Chiang Pin-kun arrived in Beijing around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday to attend talks with the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). It will be the first talks between the SEF and ARATS after they resumed contacts after a suspension of nine years. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    ARATS Executive Vice Chairman Zheng Lizhong welcomed Chiang and other delegates at the airport. ARATS was holding a reception to welcome the Taiwan delegation Wednesday evening.

    According to the schedule agreed upon by the two sides, ARATS chairman Chen Yunlin will hold talks with Chiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Thursday morning. The two sides will then hold consultations on cross-Strait weekend charted flights and mainland tourists' traveling to Taiwan.

    On June 13, the two sides will sign a related agreement, according to the schedule.

    During Chiang's trip in Beijing, he will pay homage to a tomb containing the personal effects of Dr. Sun Yat-sen at the Biyun Temple. He will also visit Olympic venues, such as the National Aquatic Center, better known as the "Water Cube."

    The delegation was scheduled to leave Beijing for Taiwan on June 14.