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Historic China-Taiwan talks held | Historic China-Taiwan talks held |
(about 1 hour 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 governments 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 short. | The meeting, on the sidelines of a business conference on China's Hainan island, was short. |
But correspondents say it represented 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. |
'Common trust' | |
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. | 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 flashpoint | 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 flashpoint |
The BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, says that while this may have been a low-key 20-minute meeting, it was one laden with symbolism. | |
She says expectations are high that the meeting could mark a watershed in relations which had been severely strained during the eight-year administration of Taiwan's independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian. | |
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. |
After exchanging pleasantries with his Taiwanese visitor, Mr Hu said improving relations required efforts from both sides. | 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. | "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." | 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." |
Although under President Chen economic links have steadily tied the Taiwan closer to the mainland, China has aimed hundreds of missiles at the island. | |
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 aggressively countered any moves to formalise Taiwan's de facto 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. | 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. |