The mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) on Friday thanked the Taiwan-based Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) for the condolences it expressed over the death of late ARATS President Wang Daohan, on behalf of Wang's family.

Wang died of illness in Shanghai last Saturday, at the age of 90. A ceremony was held in Shanghai Friday morning for people to pay their last respects to Wang.

In a letter to the SEF, the ARATS said "Your letter dated Dec. 29 has been received. Your chairman's letter of condolences to the children of late President Wang Daohan has been passed on to his family."

After Wang's death, the people from all walks of life and related departments in Taiwan expressed their condolences and the SEF also paid its respects, according to the letter.

"The ceremony to pay the last respects to late President Wang was concluded this morning and we are entrusted by his family to express thanks to you," the letter says.

Source: Xinhua