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China invites Taiwan to key talks | China invites Taiwan to key talks |
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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 president | New 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. |