Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan arrived in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, on Monday evening to worship his ancestors in his hometown Zhangzhou City.

Kuomintang's honorary chairman Lien Chan waves to people upon his arrival in Fujian April 17, 2006. During his stay in Fujian, Lien will worship his ancestors in Zhangzhou City and receive an honorary doctor's degree from Xiamen University, media report said. [Xinhua]

Lien delivered a brief speech on his arrival at the Fuzhou Changle International Airport, saying this was the first time he visited Fujian and he extended his cordial greetings to his fellow countrymen in Fujian.

He said it was an aspiration of several generations in his family to go back to their hometown, Zhangzhou City, to offer sacrifices to their ancestors. However, barriers across the Taiwan Straits and political situation had prevent them from making the trip in the past.

Lien said he was "very happy" that he could make the trip today.

During his stay in Fujian, Lien will worship his ancestors in Zhangzhou City and receive an honorary doctor's degree from Xiamen University.

Lien left for Fujian Province after attending a cross-Straits economic and trade forum held in Beijing from April 14 to 15.