SHANGHAI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chu met with her Shanghai counterpart Han Zheng Saturday afternoon during her visit to the mainland.

    Chen was to promote the World Games, to be held in Taiwan's port city Kaohsiung from July 16 to 26. Shanghai is the last leg of her promotion tour.

    Han expressed his confidence in deepening cooperation between the two port cities.

    "With development of cross-straits ties, exchanges between Shanghai and Kaohsiung are more frequent than before," he said.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng (R) meets with his Kaohsiung counterpart Chen Chu in Shanghai, east China, May 23, 2009

Shanghai and Kaohsiung started chartered flight in 2003 and direct chartered flight last year. "It brings our two cities closer," Han said.

    Chen thanked Han for the help to her promotion, and expressed her wish for the success of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

    She said that she expected more exchanges with Shanghai in tourism development.

    Chen Chu arrived in Beijing on Thursday, where she met with mayor Guo Jinlong. She flew to Shanghai Saturday afternoon.