The Chinese Cultural Exchange Association was set up in Macao?on Saturday to promote cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Xu Jialu, Deputy Director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Wang Zaixi and Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Edmund Ho Hau Wah were among those attending the inauguration ceremony of the association.

Daniel Tse Chi Wai, president of the association said that the main objective of this association is to function as a cultural bridge between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan by promoting educational, scientific, technological and artistic exchanges.

Xu Jialu said that the association was set up at the right time, in the right place and by the right people. He hoped it could be a platform creating new chances for cross-strait exchanges.

(CRI May 1, 2005)