The Kuomintang (KMT) delegation to the Chinese mainland bade farewell Friday after its first visit in 56 years.

KMT Vice President Chiang Pin-kung and more than 30 delegates stepped aboard the Air China passenger aircraft at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 1:30 p.m.

The delegation was seen off at the airport by Li Bingcai, deputy director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Long Xinmin, deputy secretary of the CPC Municipal Committee of Beijing.

Chiang called his visit an "ice-breaking, bridge-building" journey and said he was "very much satisfied" with the results of the tour. He expressed his gratitude for the warm reception of themainland officials and residents.

During its stay, the delegation visited the KMT martyrs' tomb in Guangzhou, the Sun Yat-sen Tomb in Nanjing, and the Cenotaph ofSun Yat-sen in Beijing.

"By recalling the merits of the revolutionary forerunner, I feel that Mr. Sun Yat-sen's spirit is worth memorizing for all the Chinese people," Chiang said.

The KMT delegates also met with Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, andChen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC CentralCommittee.

The visitors also spoke with investors from Taiwan. Chiang saidhis delegation realized that these business people have contributed to the mainland's prosperity.

In the talks, Chiang asked Taiwan businessmen to abide by mainland laws while doing business there.

Chiang Pin-kung (C), vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), waves before his departure in Beijing, capital of China, April 1, 2005. Chiang and his KMT delegation left Beijing for southeast China's Taiwan Province April 1 following a five-day visit to the Chinese mainland.

Chiang Pin-kung, vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), speaks to reporters in Beijing, capital of China, April 1, 2005. Chiang and his KMT delegation left Beijing for southeast China's Taiwan Province April 1 following a five-day visit to the Chinese mainland.