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Taiwan's opposition leader Lien Chan has held historic talks in Beijing with the Chinese President Hu Jintao.

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It is the first meeting between the two sides since Mr Lien's Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the civil war to the Communists.

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The meeting was watched closely in both China and Taiwan.

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Mr Lien began his controversial eight-day tour in Nanjing, where he paid homage at the mausoleum to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Nationalist Party.

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Hundreds of well-wishers jostled to try and get a better view of Mr Lien as he passed by, reflecting the intense interest Chinese people have in his visit.

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When he arrived in Beijing on Thursday, Mr Lien was given a similarly warm welcome.

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But back home in Taiwan, opinions are divided over Mr Lien's visit. Some praise his efforts at improving cross-straits relations...

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... but others say his trip is divisive, and are angry that his pro-Beijing stance.

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While Mr Lien has been lauded in China, President Chen Shui-bian remains persona non grata on the mainland, due to his party's past advocacy of formal independence for Taiwan.