Chen Yunlin, chairman of China's semiofficial Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, is to visit Taiwan in late October or early November, becoming the first top Chinese envoy to make the trip since the rivals began formal contacts in 1992. No exact date for the visit has been announced.

'We will proceed with the negotiations as two equals, recognising the reality of our coexistence,' said Fu Don-Cheng, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, a Cabinet agency in charge of Taiwan's relations with China.

'We hope neither side will use the talks to advance its political agenda but rather seek to establish an era of pragmatic negotiations to pave the way for broader exchanges,' he said.

While in Taipei, Mr Chen is to meet Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the semiofficial Straits Exchange Foundation, to discuss establishing direct sea links and other economic issues, Taiwanese officials say.

The two men met in Beijing in June and signed an agreement to set up regular direct flights and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who took office in May, has vowed not to pursue formal independence but also refused to embrace China's goal of unification.

Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party said it feared Mr Ma could compromise Taiwan's sovereignty in his eagerness to pursue closer economic ties with China. The pro-independence party plans to stage a mass demonstration on Oct 25 to pressure Mr Ma to reverse his perceived pro-China policy.

Officials say Mr Ma may also meet Mr Chen but the terms for such a meeting are not yet clear.

The two sides split amid civil war in 1949, and China still claims the self-ruled island is a part of its own territory to be reunified with the mainland eventually. -- AP