00:00The vice chair of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, departs for Beijing
00:06on his way to a high-profile cross-strait forum, organized by think tanks run by the KMT
00:12and the Chinese Communist Party, both parties framing it as an opportunity to deepen cross-strait exchange.
00:30Let's see if there's any cooperation between the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Communist Party.
00:47Xiaoxu Chen is leading a delegation of around 40 academics to the forum,
00:52which the KMT says will focus on things like tourism, environmental protection, and industrial development,
00:58and will not touch on any political issues.
01:01But some experts say the trip itself has political implications.
01:06It comes as tensions across the strait are high.
01:09China claims Taiwan is its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of it.
01:15All communication at the national level between the two sides has been cut off for years,
01:19with China calling Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party separatist.
01:24But the KMT has warmer relations with China.
01:27And advocates for more cross-strait exchange to maintain peace.
01:32Now, the new President of St. Leeuwen, who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who's who.
01:42The delegation could meet with Chinese officials during the trip.
01:54They're expected to attend a dinner organized by China's Taiwan Affairs Office, the government body that manages cross-strait relations.
02:01Some are calling this a revival of a KMT CCP forum that had been suspended since 2016.
02:13The DPP is criticizing the forum, saying it will harm national dignity and security and questioning whether the KMT answers to Taiwan or China.
02:22Meanwhile, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council warns that the CCP's goal is to eliminate Taiwan, which will not change through visits to Beijing.
02:31Some protesters showed up just before the group left, accusing the KMT of making deals with Beijing.
02:38One dressed as Chinese President Xi Jinping holding the delegation leader on a leash.
02:43The trip, already sparking debate, will be a focal point for both sides of the strait this week.
02:53Many looking out for any political implications.
02:57Lian Lien and Cadence Quaranta for Taiwan Plus.
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