This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7343945.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Historic China-Taiwan talks held Historic China-Taiwan talks held
(40 minutes later)
China's President Hu Jintao has held a historic meeting with Taiwan's Vice-President-elect, Vincent Siew.China's President Hu Jintao has held a historic meeting with Taiwan's Vice-President-elect, Vincent Siew.
It was the highest-level contact between the two sides since their post-civil war split in 1949. It was the highest-level contact between the two governments since their post-civil war split in 1949.
The meeting, on the sidelines of a business conference on China's Hainan island, was expected to be short. The meeting, on the sidelines of a business conference on China's Hainan island, was short.
But correspondents say it represents an important signal that both sides now want to improve relations, after several years of worsening ties. But correspondents say it represented an important signal that both sides now want to improve relations, after several years of worsening ties.
Mr Siew is the running-mate of Ma Ying-jeou, who won a convincing victory in Taiwan's elections in March, and has vowed to improve the island's standing with its much bigger neighbour once he takes office. Mr Siew is the running-mate of Ma Ying-jeou, who won a convincing victory in Taiwan's elections in March, and has vowed to improve the island's standing with its much bigger neighbour once he takes office on 20 May.
TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpointTAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpoint
Mr Siew was already attending the Boao Forum for Asia in his capacity as chairman of the Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, a non-profit group that works to improve economic co-operation between Taiwan and China.Mr Siew was already attending the Boao Forum for Asia in his capacity as chairman of the Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, a non-profit group that works to improve economic co-operation between Taiwan and China.
"I hope that through this meeting we can deepen the understanding between the two sides and also create a basis for common trust," Mr Siew said on Friday. After exchanging pleasantries with his Taiwanese visitor, Mr Hu said improving relations required efforts from both sides.
"On this occasion I am happy to exchange opinions on the cross-strait economy with Mr Siew," he said.
Before the meeting, Mr Siew said: "I hope that through this meeting we can deepen the understanding between the two sides and also create a basis for common trust."
Missile threatMissile threat
The meeting between Mr Hu and Mr Siew was expected to last for 20 minutes. Taiwan's relations with China have deteriorated during the eight-year rule of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, under President Chen Shui-bian.
Relations with China had deteriorated during the eight-year rule of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party under Chen Shui-bian. Although economic links have steadily tied the Taiwan closer to the mainland, China has aimed hundreds of missiles at the island.
Although economic links have steadily tied the island of Taiwan closer to the mainland, China still has hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan and bitterly opposes any moves to independence. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and has aggressively countered any moves to formalise Taiwan's de facto independence.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and has threatened to use force if Taiwan even moved towards formal independence. Ahead of the meeting, US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte labelled it "a good way forward" in efforts to settle differences between the two sides.