IN BRIEF (Page 2)

Beijing

Chen Yunlin to offer condolences for friend

Chen Yunlin, former president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, will go to Taiwan to offer his condolences to Chiang Pinkung, the former vice-chairman of the Kuomintang, who died in Taipei on Monday, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Friday. The two had many years of friendship and Chen will pay his respects to Chiang as a good friend, rather than in an official capacity, the statement said. The exact visiting schedule is still being discussed with Chiang's family.