Taoyuan: A Kuomintang (KMT) delegation traveling to Beijing for a think tank exchange with the Chinese Communist Party will focus on advocating for Taiwanese companies and advancing peace, KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen said Monday. "The KMT wants to be a voice for Taiwan's industry, a protector of everyday people, and a maker of cross-strait peace," Hsiao told reporters before his departure from Taoyuan Airport.

According to Focus Taiwan, the main focus of the trip will be a full-day think tank forum on Tuesday. Hsiao, who is leading a delegation that comprises 40 experts and scholars, along with Lee Hong-yuan, deputy chair of the KMT-affiliated National Policy Foundation, emphasized the non-political nature of the visit. The delegation is set to attend a dinner hosted by China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Monday evening and visit Tsinghua University on Wednesday before returning to Taiwan.

Hsiao addressed KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's recent comment that Taiwan and mainland China are "family," expressing his agreement despite unresolved political divisions. The delegation's discussions with their Chinese counterparts will focus on areas such as tourism, precision machinery, energy, and disaster prevention, rather than political matters.

Regarding potential meetings with Chinese officials, Hsiao noted that as guests, they would follow the arrangements of their hosts. Lee Hong-yuan pointed out that most members of the delegation are "scholars and experts" in various professional fields rather than KMT members. Lee highlighted the potential for Taiwan and China to complement each other by addressing each other's strong and weak points.

Lee expressed hope that the positive exchange would not only benefit Taiwanese businesses but also foster mutual understanding, reduce divisions, and gradually create a more peaceful atmosphere between Taiwan and China.