NANJING, China - Taiwan's opposition leader arrived in China today for the highest-level visit by a Taiwanese political figure since the two sides split amid civil war nearly six decades ago.

The eight-day trip by Lien Chan was aimed at easing tensions between Taiwan and China, which is threatening to attack if the self-ruled island pursues formal independence.

"Taipei and Nanjing are not too distant, but it still took 60 years to come here. It certainly took too long to make the journey," Lien Chan said after arriving in this eastern city, which had been the capital when his Nationalist Party ruled China.

Lien's visit is the first by a Nationalist leader since the party, which once ruled both Taiwan and China, fled the mainland following its defeat by the communists. It includes a meeting Friday with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Relations between the Nationalists and communists have warmed in recent years as they united in opposition to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, whose party wants formal independence. Beijing is trying to isolate Chen by building ties with parties such as Lien's that favor eventually uniting the self-ruled island with the mainland.

The visit comes as Beijing steps up efforts to discourage Taiwan from pursuing formal independence - a move that the communist mainland says would lead to war. China's legislature enacted an anti-secession law in March authorizing a military attack.

Lien said he wanted to promote economic ties and ease tensions with Beijing. He also said he hoped to discuss "the common future of both sides across the (Taiwan) Strait."

He was met by Chen Yunlin, director of the Communist Party's Taiwan Work Office, and other officials.

"I regret that we didn't meet earlier," Lien told them. "I'm very happy that finally we can make this historic step."

Before Lien left Taipei, scuffles broke out at the Taiwanese capital's airport between his supporters and egg-throwing protesters who accused him of pandering to Beijing.

The rival groups shoved, kicked and punched each other. Lien supporters, gripping flags, tried to break through a police cordon but were pushed back.

Not long ago, Lien's visit would have been unthinkable. The Nationalists - who ruled Taiwan for five decades until losing power in 2000 - often jailed people who were sympathetic to the communists. Until the late 1980s, they banned Taiwanese from visiting the mainland.