Taipei - A Taiwan delegation flew to China Monday to hold preparatory talks on the upcoming Taipei-Beijing dialogue aimed at expanding exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

The 11-member delegation is led by Kao Kung-lien, vice chairman of the Straits Exchange Association. The talks will be held Monday afternoon in Shenzhen, south China.

The talks would pave the way for the November 3 formal dialogue between Taipei and Beijing to discuss expanding exchanges as proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou.

China negotiator Chen Yunlin will be the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Taiwan since 1949, when Taiwan and China split at the end of the Chinese Civil War.

"Chen will visit Taiwan for five days. Beside holding the dialogue, the two sides will also hold discussions, including discussing how Taiwan and China should cooperate in tackling financial problems in the face of the the global financial crisis," Kao told reporters at the Taoyuan International Airport.

Chen and his Taiwan counterpart Chiang Ping-kun are expected to sign four pacts on direct shipping, postal service, expansion of weekend charter flights and safety of China's food exports to Taiwan. (dpa)