FUZHOU, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan has been granted an honorary doctor's degree from Xiamen University in southeastern China's Fujian Province.

Xiamen University President Zhu Chongshi presented a diploma to Lien before Lien made a speech to 3,000 students and teachers Wednesday afternoon.

Lien is not only a prominent statesman but also a leading scholar who has accomplished outstanding academic achievements, publishing many political works and educating dozens of scholars in this field, Zhu said.

Lien visited the mainland last April, making important contributions to the peace and development of the Chinese nation. One year on, Lien attended the cross-Strait economic and trade forum in Beijing, to promote economic and trade cooperation acrossthe Taiwan Straits.

Over 50 years ago, many graduates from Xiamen University went to Taiwan and played an important role in the island's construction and development, Zhu recalled.

"The university has carried out more and more cross-Straits academic exchange programs over the past 20 years. Granting an honorary doctor's degree to Lien will improve such exchange programs as well as the development of cross-Strait ties," Zhu said.

In his speech, Lien recalled history and cultural relations between himself, his family and Xiamen University. "Conveying Chinese culture from generation to generation is our common responsibility," Lien said.

Lien strongly criticized secession movements by some people in Taiwan after some textbooks were tampered. "The inbred Chinese culture can not be destroyed, no matter what anyone does," he said.

"The cross-Strait exchange of culture is the most basic and powerful exchange, with which all issues between the two sides canbe resolved," he said, calling for closer ties in the fields of culture and history.

Lien arrived in Fujian on Monday evening after attending the cross-Strait economic and trade forum in Beijing from April 14 to 15. He also met with Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CommunistParty of China Central Committee.

On Wednesday morning, Lien worshipped his ancestors in Maqi Village of Zhangzhou, a city in Fujian. Enditem