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China invites Taiwan to key talks China invites Taiwan to key talks
(40 minutes later)
China has invited Taiwan to restart bilateral talks that have been suspended for a decade in a further show of warming relations.China has invited Taiwan to restart bilateral talks that have been suspended for a decade in a further show of warming relations.
China invited a delegation from the Taiwanese organisation that deals with bilateral relations to attend talks in Beijing as early as 11 June.China invited a delegation from the Taiwanese organisation that deals with bilateral relations to attend talks in Beijing as early as 11 June.
The talks will focus on tourism and direct charter flights.The talks will focus on tourism and direct charter flights.
On Wednesday, the head of Taiwan's ruling party held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.On Wednesday, the head of Taiwan's ruling party held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung's meeting with Mr Hu was the highest-level encounter since the two sides split in 1949.Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung's meeting with Mr Hu was the highest-level encounter since the two sides split in 1949.
New presidentNew president
Beijing has now issued an invitation to Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, proposing the talks with China's counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait.Beijing has now issued an invitation to Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, proposing the talks with China's counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait.
Talks had been suspended for a decade but the election of Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwan's president in March has brought a thaw in relations.Talks had been suspended for a decade but the election of Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwan's president in March has brought a thaw in relations.
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
Chinese state media Xinhua said the talks from 11-14 June would cover the issue of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan and the establishment of direct regular charter flights.Chinese state media Xinhua said the talks from 11-14 June would cover the issue of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan and the establishment of direct regular charter flights.
"We hope the talks will make progress on the two issues to meet the expectations of people from both sides of the Strait," Xinhua quoted the letter as saying."We hope the talks will make progress on the two issues to meet the expectations of people from both sides of the Strait," Xinhua quoted the letter as saying.
China and Taiwan held regular consultations after a "consensus" was agreed in 1992.
But the talks broke off acrimoniously as some Taiwanese politicians began to lean towards independence.
China has threatened military force should that happen.
However, ties are warming, with Mr Ma calling for a new "chapter of peace"
Wu Poh-hsiung is on a six-day landmark visit to the mainland.
He met Mr Hu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Mr Hu made reference to the potential for improved relations under Taiwan's new leadership, and also expressed his gratitude for aid from Taiwan following the devastating earthquake in China's Sichuan province.
Mr Wu took the opportunity to say that Taiwan and China should ensure they never take up arms against each other again.
"We cannot guarantee there won't be any natural disasters... but through our mutual efforts, we can ensure there is no war," he added.