The personal representatives of Wang Daohan, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), paid silent tribute to Koo Chen-fu, the late chairman of the Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF), at Koo's memorial service in Taipei Wednesday afternoon.

ARATS vice president Sun Yafu and secretary-general Li Yafei, the representatives, both attended the well-known 1993 high-level, non-governmental talks between Wang and Koo and met Koo on numerous other occasions.

To the accompaniment of a mournful dirge, Sun and Li bowed before the portrait of Koo, who died of illness at 88 on Jan. 3, in the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

The two also called on Koo's wife, Yen Cho-yun, and the family and extended cordial regards to them. Yen commissioned them to bring a letter to Wang Daohan. Earlier, Sun and Li had forwarded a letter from Wang to Yen.

"We join the people of Taiwan to mourn Mr. Koo Chen-fu. We can feel the high esteem he enjoyed in Taiwan society, including his active contributions to the development of cross-Strait relations," Sun said after walking out of the service.

On behalf of Wang Daohan, Sun and Li flew to Taipei Tuesday afternoon to attend the memorial service at the invitation of Koo's family.

Wang said earlier that he cherished the memories of his old friend Koo and wished to attend his funeral. "However, due to my advanced age I am too weak to go there. I would like to send Sun Yafu and Li Yafei to attend the funeral on my behalf."

Sun and Li left Taipei for the Chinese mainland Wednesday afternoon after attending the service.

"We will report what we see, hear and experience in Taipei to President Wang," Sun said before leaving.

Koo held two talks with Wang on cross-Strait matters. Thanks to their joint efforts, the ARATS and the SEF reached a consensus in 1992 that "both sides of the Taiwan Straits adhere to the one-China principle," though each side may have their own interpretations.