BEIJING - The China Society for Human Rights (CSHR) sent its first delegation to visit Taiwan from July 5 to 8 at the invitation of Taiwan's Chinese Association for Human Rights (CAHR), according to a CSHR statement released Wednesday.

The CSHR delegation, headed by Li Junru, vice chairman of the mainland rights body, met with Wu Poh-hsiung, honorary chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party (KMT), during the visit.

Li said that the mainland delegation's visit boosted mutual understanding between the two sides on human rights issues and played an important role in promoting the healthy development of cross-Strait relations.

Wu hailed the visit as a "breakthrough" that would open up new areas for cultural and economic exchange between the mainland and Taiwan.

The delegation participated in several discussions with the CAHR on a wide range of issues concerning human rights. The delegation also spoke with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the Chang Fochuan Center for the Study of Human Rights of Soochow University and the Foundation on Asia-Pacific Peace Studies, all of which are Taiwanese human rights groups.

The CSHR was established in Beijing in January 1993.