TAIPEI – An influential advisor to the Chinese government is to visit Taiwan next week, in the latest sign of rapidly evolving ties between the once bitter foes, officials said Thursday.

Zheng Bijian will be in Taiwan with a delegation of retired ambassadors and generals, according to the non-profit Pacific Cultural Foundation.

Zheng, who will participate in an academic seminar in Taipei, has had significant influence on Chinese policy-making in recent years and coined the phrase "China's peaceful rise."

The expression was meant to reassure regional neighbors unnerved by China's expanding military and economic might.

Relations between China and Taiwan have improved markedly since May 2008, when the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou assumed the presidency.

The two sides held their first direct dialogue in 10 years in Beijing in June last year, leading to regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait and measures to boost tourism.

However, China still aims missiles at Taiwan, a constant reminder that it considers the island part of its territory, despite a split that started in 1949, and wants it back, by force if necessary.