Taiwan ex-premier leaves for China to promote common market project

TAIPEI (AFX-ASIA) - Former premier Vincent Siew, vice-chairman of the opposition Kuomintang and chairman of the Cross Strait Common Market Foundation, has left for China, saying he wants to promote the establishment of a common market with the mainland.           "The trip is to promote the idea of a common market, there is no other purpose," Siew told reporters before leaving. He was accompanied by 15 business leaders.           Siew said he did not represent the government or any political groups on the nine-day visit.           "Nor will I deliver any messages," he said.          Siew is expected to meet Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen in Beijing and visit Wang Daohan, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, in Shanghai.            He declined to say if he would meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin.           Siew will also address a high-tech seminar sponsored by the Beijing city government and make a speech at Fudan University in Shanghai. 

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