TAIPEI, Nov 3: The most senior Chinese official to visit Taiwan since the end of a civil war 60 years ago said on Monday that historic talks to take place this week are the only way to build trust between the arch rivals.

Chen Yunlin arrived in Taipei on a charter flight from Beijing for talks on strengthening economic ties, as supporters of independence for the island staged demonstrations and planned mass rallies against his visit.

He landed amid tight security at Taiwan’s international airport just before midday (0400 GMT) for a five-day visit during which he will meet his Taiwanese counterparts, as well as the island’s President Ma Ying-jeou.

In a sign of warming ties, Chen, head of China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), was accompanied by a delegation of more than 60 officials and business leaders.

Chen hailed the talks as a “milestone” in cross-strait relations.

“Peaceful development is the wish for both sides. Communication will promote mutual trust and cooperation will lead to a win-win situation,” Chen said.

“The talks between the two organisations are the way to promote peaceful developments and they are the joint expectations of the people on both sides.”

This week’s meetings aim to build on talks held in Beijing in June, the first direct dialogue between the two sides after a 10-year gap, which led to the launch of regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait and measures to boost tourism.

Late Monday the two sides announced they had agreed to triple direct passenger flights to 108 per week and expand services to 21 more Chinese cities.

Chen earlier said agreements would also be signed on shipping links, direct postal services and food safety issues.

Boosting tourism would also be discussed, Chen said. The June talks agreed a daily quota of 3,000 Chinese tourists to Taiwan, but China still restricts travel to Taiwan of its citizens.

China is also expected to make good on a 2005 offer to give the island’s main zoo two giant pandas.

Officials say more than 7,000 police have been deployed to ensure Chen’s safety, after his deputy Zhang Mingqing was jostled and knocked to the ground by anti-China protesters during a visit to Taiwan last month.

Supporters of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) plan large demonstrations throughout Chen’s stay.

DPP organisers said they expected up to 100,000 people to gather outside parliament on Monday night, despite persistent drizzle, to kick off a three-day sit-in that would culminate with a mass rally on Wednesday.

In the event about 2,000 protesters turned up, a correspondent witnessed.

DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said the rallies aimed to ensure “Chen can hear the voices of Taiwanese people”.

Chen’s presence here has become a flashpoint for anti-China protesters who fear closer ties could erode the island’s sovereignty, although analysts have pointed to the economic benefits they would bring.—AFP