IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Beijing

Two parties to meet in capital

Preparation for the meeting of top leaders of the Communist Party of China and Taiwan's Kuomintang in Beijing next week is in place, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday. KMT Chairman Eric Chu will lead a delegation to visit Beijing after joining in the Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum that starts in Shanghai on May 3. "We are talking with KMT about the preparation work and finalizing arrangements for a series of activities," Ma said.