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/7416612.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Taiwan says China talks to resume Taiwan says China talks to resume
(30 minutes later)
Taiwan and Beijing will resume direct talks next month for the first time in a decade, the chairwoman of the island's Mainland Affairs Council says.Taiwan and Beijing will resume direct talks next month for the first time in a decade, the chairwoman of the island's Mainland Affairs Council says.
Lai Shin-yuan told reporters: "You will see very soon in June the beginning of institutional negotiations between the two sides."Lai Shin-yuan told reporters: "You will see very soon in June the beginning of institutional negotiations between the two sides."
There has been no comment so far on the subject from Beijing.There has been no comment so far on the subject from Beijing.
Earlier this week a new president, Ma Ying-jeou, took office in Taiwan. He wants better ties with China.Earlier this week a new president, Ma Ying-jeou, took office in Taiwan. He wants better ties with China.
Two days later, on Thursday, a top Chinese official, Chen Yunlin, said there had been "major positive changes" in the Taiwan situation.Two days later, on Thursday, a top Chinese official, Chen Yunlin, said there had been "major positive changes" in the Taiwan situation.
Lai Shin-yuan said she was cautiously optimistic that deals could be agreed on areas such as direct transport links between the two sides, which were halted in 1949 at the end of a civil war. Lai Shin-yuan said she was cautiously optimistic that direct transport links between the two sides, which were halted in 1949, could resume by July.
Goodwill
This could mean weekend charter flights of passengers and cargo, and more Chinese tourists being allowed to visit.
"The July timetable", she told reporters, "is a realistic anticipation, and it is not based on wishful thinking".
The BBC's correspondent in Taipei says Ms Lai also said both sides had shown goodwill and were speaking the same language on the issue.
China and Taiwan have been ruled by separate governments since Mao Zedong's Communists won the Chinese civil war in 1949, and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to the island.
China sees the island as a breakaway province which should be reunified, by force if necessary.