April 27 (Bloomberg) -- Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party Chairman Lien Chan called for ``peaceful perseverance'' in improving relations with China, as he was welcomed by thousands of people during a visit to the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum in Nanjing.

``Dr. Sun Yat-sen founded Asia's first democracy in the form of the Republic of China in 1911. We must remember Dr. Sun's nation-building spirit in overcoming our cross-strait impasse,'' Lien said today. Peaceful perseverance is the only way forward for all Chinese people.''

Lien visited the mausoleum as part of a seven-day trip to the mainland and will hold discussions with Chinese President Hu Jintao in the highest-ranking meeting between Chinese and Taiwanese politicians since the Nationalists lost the civil war with China's Communist Party and fled to Taiwan in 1949.

``Let us all work together to secure cross-strait peace, to build a better future for all Chinese in the 21st century,'' Lien said after seeing Sun's mausoleum. Sun Yat-sen founded the first non-imperial government in China in 1911.

Lien was accompanied to the mausoleum by a delegation of about 60 Taiwanese politicians and businessmen who wore badges that said ``Peace 2005.''

``This visit is significant,'' said Nationalist legislator Su Chi, who ran the Mainland Affairs Commission under former President Lee Teng-hui, who retired in 2000. ``We hope to lower the temperature in cross-strait relations. This is our primary mission,'' Su said.

Lien's visit contrasts with his chief political rival, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, who has been cooling relations with China. His government this month expelled reporters from two major Chinese media organizations and slowed approvals for Taiwan companies wanting to invest in China to protest a mainland law authorizing use of military force if Taiwan declares independence.

To contact the reporter on this story: Allen T. Cheng in Beijing at acheng13@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: April 27, 2005 02:37 EDT