TAIPEI, Feb 27: Taiwan's leading opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said on Sunday it plans to send a top party official to China in a move to help ease cross-strait tensions. P.K. Chiang, one of the party's vice chairmen, is expected to leave for the mainland next month, KMT Chairman Lien Chan said at a public gathering.

"Rapprochement is needed not only among the domestic political parties but also between Taiwan and the mainland," Lien said, adding that details of the trip would be unveiled at a later date.

Taipei-Beijing ties have worsened since the pro-independence Chen Shui-bian won the presidency in 2000. The opposition favours closer relations with the mainland. But in a fresh olive branch to China, Chen, after reconciliation talks with an opposition leader on Thursday, reaffirmed his pledge not to push for the island's independence.

Chen, from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, also promised to seek ways to normalize relations with China to promote cross-strait peace. But Chen last month warned that Taiwan would introduce an "anti-annexation" law and might hold a referendum to counter China's anti-secession bid. -AFP