BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday announced the names of the senior officials from both the mainland and Taiwan who will attend a cross-Straits economic and cultural forum this weekend in Shanghai.

    The officials include Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Kuomintang Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung and Honorary Chairman Lien Chan from Taiwan.

    State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi made the announcement at a press conference here.

    The 4th Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Cultural Forum is scheduled for Dec. 20-21 in Shanghai.

Four local Chinese mainland reporters to start work in Taiwan

    BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Local media from the Chinese mainland will be stationed in Taiwan since December 18, according to Li Weiyi, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman.

    Two reporters from Fujian Daily and two from Southeastern TV will start work in Taiwan, Li said here at a Wednesday press conference. Full story

Official: Mainland panda pair to travel to Taiwan on Dec. 23

    BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The pair of giant pandas offered by the Chinese mainland to Taiwan will travel to the island on Dec. 23, a mainland official announced here on Wednesday.

    State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi made the announcement at a press briefing.

    The bears, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, whose names together mean "reunion," will be housed at the Taipei city zoo.  Full story

Spokesman: Mainland has "positive attitude" on Taiwan involvement in WHO

    BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland has a positive attitude toward Taiwan's involvement in World Health Organization activities, a government spokesman said here on Wednesday.

    "The mainland has, as always, felt the desire of Taiwan compatriots to take part in international activities," State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi told a press conference here.  Full story