The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, which accommodated the group on a two-hour shopping trip, dispatched all its female shop assistants to wait at its gates and hand out small gifts to group members.

The group was welcomed by local media and restaurant staff at about 1:30 pm in Taipei after visiting the National Palace Museum.

A woman protested outside the restaurant but was told to leave by police and the restaurant's owner.

The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, which accommodated the group on a two-hour shopping trip, dispatched all its female shop assistants to wait at its gates and hand out small gifts to group members.

Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his desire to go to Taiwan at a press conference in Beijing last Friday.

"Although I am 67 years old, if it is possible, I would like to go to Taiwan," he said. "Even if I can no longer walk due to old age, I will crawl to Taiwan.

"I have long cherished the hope of going to the treasure island," he said.

"I really want to go to Alishan Mountain, Sun Moon Lake and many other places."

(Shanghai Daily March 20, 2009)