Lien Chan, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), and some of his delegation members enjoyed green tea and Beijing Opera at the Laoshe Teahouse close to Tian'anmen Square, in central Beijing, Thursday evening.
The teahouse, with red lanterns and other traditional Chinese decorations, was in a festive mood as the KMT leader tasted Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, Jasmine Tea and imperial snacks and watched the performances of local artists.
The teahouse prepared a special health tea for the wife of the KMT leader, which was a mixture of green tea, lily and sweet-scented osmanthus.
The guests were marveled by the artists and applauded many times for their excellent performances.
At the end of the tea party, Lien wrote an inscription at the request of the teahouse manager Yin Zhijun, which reads, "Rejuvenate the tea culture and bring peace to the two sides across the Straits."
Lien received gifts from Yin -- two sets of traditional Chinese teacup, a brochure on the Laoshe Teahouse, and tea products manufactured by the teahouse.
The teahouse is named after Laoshe (Shu Sheyu), a well-known Chinese writer. Since its opening in 1988, the teahouse has received almost 20,000 visitors from Taiwan Province.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2005)
