Deputies from two Taiwan opposition parties arrived in China yesterday for unofficial talks on expanding transport links between the island and the communist-run mainland.
The parties, the Nationalists and the New Party, broadly share Beijing's goal of reunifying Taiwan and China to end an estrangement that began when the Chinese civil war ended in communist victory in 1949.
The visits by the two parties come two days after the first legal trip to the Chinese mainland by Taiwanese boats in 51 years.
"At a time when the two sides are unable to break their deadlock, we hope this visit will help promote better understanding between the two sides," said Nationalist deputy Her Jyh-huei on arrival at Beijing airport.
Mr Her's delegation of 31 Nationalists and a New Party group of four are scheduled to meet Chinese aviation, postal and trade officials for discussions on establishing direct links across the Taiwan Strait.
They will also meet top communist officials.
China has refused to deal with the seven-month-old government of President Chen Shuibian, who Beijing views with deep suspicion because his Democratic Progressive Party champions Taiwan independence.
Instead, to put pressure on Mr Chen, Beijing has courted Taiwan's business community, which has $40 billion invested in China and seeks more liberal transport arrangements with the mainland.
Tuesday's travellers from Taiwan were given a cordial welcome on the mainland, but Beijing has avoided expressing enthusiasm for the limited connections, known as the "three small links".
China is holding out for "three big links" - full trade, transport and postal links between the mainland and Taiwan - it hopes will help lead to Taiwan reunifying with China.
Beijing has made resumption of contacts between the two states conditional on Mr Chen's acceptance of the "one-China principle", which holds that Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single China.