IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Former KMT chief to visit Beijing

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, will lead a delegation from various circles in Taiwan on a visit to Beijing from Sunday to Wednesday, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said on Thursday. People from both sides of the Taiwan Straits will consult on issues of common concern such as cross-Straits relations and the future of the Chinese nation, Ma said. "The mainland will work with people of insight from all walks of life on the island to advance cross-Straits relations in the right direction, create a better future for cross-Strait relations, and share the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.

Water conservation makes major strides