Representatives from news media organizations on the Chinese mainland and Taiwan Thursday called for more cross-Strait media industry exchanges to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.

A mainland media delegation, led by Zhou Xisheng, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, arrived in Taipei on Thursday for an eight-day visit to Taiwan.

The delegation consists of representatives from ten major mainland media organizations, including Xinhua, the People's Daily newspaper, China National Radio, China Radio International and China Central Television. The delegation will visit several media organizations and associations based in Taiwan during the visit.

"The stable development of cross-Strait ties is our common aspiration. Media organizations from both sides of the Strait should bolster their cooperation in order to promote understanding and friendship among colleagues from the mainland and Taiwan," Zhou said during a welcoming ceremony in Taipei.

Tsai Eng-meng, chairman of the Taiwan-based Want Want China Times Media Group, said that the group is willing to step up cooperation with mainland media to boost the international image of the Chinese people.