China envoy leaves after landmark Taiwan trip

[Coventina]

Source: International Herald-Tribune

A Chinese official left Taiwan on Friday after a turbulent visit that produced landmark trade agreements but also sparked angry protests that show the scars a half-century of enmity have inflicted.

Chen Yunlin, China's top negotiator on Taiwan affairs, departed for Beijing shortly before 10:30 a.m. local time, completing the highest-level visit to the island by a Communist leader since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

His visit, which included top-level meetings, public appearances and cultural events, accelerated a thaw in official relations between two sides that were once on the brink of war.

And while tauntings from anti-China protesters dogged him almost every step of the way, it shouldn't divert the future course of cross-strait ties, Chen indicated in departing remarks.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/11/07/asia/OUKWD-UK-TAIWAN-CHINA.php