Kuomintang Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung has arrived in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, starting the first leg of a six-day mainland visit.

He was received at the airport by Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Many Taiwan businessmen also waited with signs to welcome the visiting team.

At Wu's suggestion, one minute of silence was held to mourn for the deceased in the May 12 earthquake.

Wu said people in Taiwan have shown deep concern over the earthquake and the affected.

"After the disaster, people in Taiwan spontaneously and quickly donated money and relief materials. This proves that people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits share the same consanguineous affection."

Wu said the mainland-Taiwan relations have currently entered a spring for peaceful development, expressing hope that the two sides would lay aside disputes, seek agreement and create a win-win situation on the basis of the 1992 Consensus.

Nanjing is the first stop of Wu's visit. Wu will also visit Beijing and Shanghai.