SHANGHAI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief Wang Yi met Thursday with Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan who are here to attend the upcoming Shanghai World Expo.

Two sides of the Taiwan Strait are present at the Expo together, which fulfills the common wish of people on both sides and the interests of all Chinese, said Wang, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

He appreciated Lien for his ice-breaking visit to the mainland five years ago, which had realized the first formal meeting between the CPC and KMT in the past 60 years.

During Lien's 2005 visit, the two parties issued the common prospects of peaceful development across the Strait, laying a foundation for the improvement of cross-Strait relations.

"Now the two sides can join hands at the Expo, thanks to the right decision and consistent efforts the two parties made in the past years," Wang said.

"The Shanghai World Expo is a great gala for the Chinese nation and the world. We are expecting a successful and wonderful event," said Lien.

Five years ago, the KMT and CPC made a right move for people on both sides and next generations of Chinese, he said.

"Once we stick to the peaceful development across the Strait and expand the exchanges and cooperation, we can create a bright future together for the Chinese," he said.