Handshake between the grandchildren of Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek
- Source: Global Times
- [17:22 November 17 2009]
- Comments
In an historic moment, Kong Dongmei, granddaughter of Mao Zedong, shook hands with Chiang Hsiao-yen, vice president of the Kuomintang, and grandson of Chiang Kai-shek in front of a painting of Sun Zhongshan at Kuomintang headquarters in Taiwan Monday.
Kong was a member of a cultural and educational delegation headed by Wang Zaixi, vice president of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) that made an official visit to the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang from November 16.
During the visit to the Kuomintang History Museum, journalists asked Kong and Jiang to take a photo together, but both reacted with embarrassment. After consulting with the leaders of ARATS and Kuomintang, Jiang and Kong took a photo together, indicating friendly relations.
As the granddaughter of Mao, Kong was the focus of the Taiwan press. She told reporters that her visit was primarily for cultural exchanges and she was glad to meet Chiang.The handshake was just a coincidence and had no deeper meaning.
Kong has been to Taiwan four times. She said she had a good impression of Taiwan.
As president of the Beijing Dongrunjuxiang Publishing Company, Kong said she hoped to have more opportunities to cooperate with Taiwan publishing companies in developing the cultural industry.
