BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Liu Qi, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, met here Thursday with Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan and his delegation.

Liu said Lien's mainland visit marks significant progress in exchange and dialogue between the CPC and the KMT, which might actively improve CPC-KMT relations and expand exchange and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits.

A historic city rich in cultural heritage, Beijing has become a modern metropolis witnessing great economic and social development, Liu said.

Since adoption of the reform and opening-up policies over two decades ago, Liu said, Beijing has attracted more and more people from Taiwan to run businesses or study.

Multi-faceted exchanges and cooperation between Beijing and Taiwan will promote common prosperity, he said.

Liu said the city of Beijing will do the utmost to improve exchange and cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, increase shared views, shape a better environment for the people of Taiwan who reside and work in Beijing, and safeguard the common benefits of people across the Straits.

Lien said Beijing has a special meaning to the KMT. Dr. Sun Yat-sen established the KMT early last century in Beijing.

"The KMT has close links with Beijing," he said.

Trade and economic ties are closer as well as cultural exchange more frequent, Lien said, but added that he still has some worries on relations across the Straits.

He said he and all his delegation members would earnestly face the current situation and blaze a future on the current basis.

Liu and Lien also exchanged gifts with each other.

Lien arrived in Beijing Thursday, continuing his eight-day mainland trip.