TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) \u2014 A visit by a Chinese official at the invitation of the Taiwanese capital\u2019s newly elected China-friendly mayor has drawn protests on the self-ruled island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The head of Shanghai city\u2019s Taiwan Affairs Office, Li Xiaodong, arrived Saturday morning for a three-day visit that marks a\u00a0rare point of contact between the sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China deems Taiwan a part of its territory\u00a0to be conquered by force if necessary\u00a0and has been courting pro-Chinese media and politicians on the island to further its unification agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vast majority of Taiwanese back the status quo of de-facto independence while still maintaining close economic and social ties with the mainland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taiwan\u2019s democratic system allows broad leeway for local governments to act without central authority. Taipei recently elected Chiang Wan-an from the opposition Nationalist Party as mayor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of protesters gathered at Sunshan Airport in downtown Taipei, while representatives of pro-China minority parties shouted welcomes. Neither Li or any members of his delegation issued any arrival statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protesters at the airport chanted to denounce Chinese efforts undermining Taiwan\u2019s security, democracy and independent diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wang Sing-huan, chair of the Taiwan State Building Party, told protesters that Li had a right to visit but that Taiwan\u2019s \u201cway of peace is to prepare for any possibility of war, and to ally other democracies so that China would not dare invade us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is a descendant of the Chiang family that ruled in China before being driven into exile in Taiwan amid civil war in 1949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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