A group of demonstrators in Taiwan have pushed a visiting mainland official to the ground and kicked his car.

Zhang Mingqing is vice chairman of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. He's on an academic exchange tour to the island. His association has sent a letter to its Taiwan-based counterpart agency regarding the incident.

The Straits Exchange Foundation consoled Zhang immediately, expressed regret and denounced the violence at a press conference. Kuomingtang Honorary Chairman Lien Chan also denounced the violence, saying those responsible should make apologies. The incident drew public attention as it happened just weeks before a planned visit by Zhang's immediate superior, Chen Yunlin. The local police have launched an investigation.

(CCTV October 22, 2008)