Chen Yunlin (right), president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, receives a sculpture of Buddha from Grand Master Hsing Yun at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung on Thursday during his first trip to southern Taiwan. [Photo/China News Service]

Chen said the visit was aimed at seeking cooperation opportunities in southern Taiwan, especially cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises on both sides.

He said he was "excited" as it was his first visit to southern Taiwan.

Chih-Chung Yeh, president of the Kaohsiung economic and trade development association, said the city welcomed Chen as it would bring opportunities for economic growth, and businesses on both sides were expected to realize common development through friendship and mutual understanding.

Kaohsiung's business representatives said Chen's visit would boost economic exchanges with the mainland.

Chen and 25 mainland company executives were briefed on Kaohsiung's investment environment and discussed business cooperation prospects.