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China and Taiwan to restart talks | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Taiwan has accepted an invitation from China to restart bilateral talks that have been suspended for a decade, in a further show of warming relations. | |
China invited the Taiwanese bilateral relations organisation to attend talks in Beijing from 11 June, with the focus on tourism and charter flights. | |
Accepting the invitation, Taiwan said it would organise a delegation. | |
On Wednesday, the head of Taiwan's ruling party had held landmark talks 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. |
Hope of agreement | |
Beijing invited Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation to have talks with its mainland counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait. | |
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 Taiwanese foundation's chairman, Chiang Pin-kung, said he hoped that the two sides could reach agreements in Beijing. | |
Bilateral talks had been suspended for a decade but the election of Ma Ying-jeou as Taiwan's president in March brought a thaw in relations. | |
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. |
Six-day visit | |
China and Taiwan held regular consultations after a "consensus" was agreed in 1992. | 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. | But the talks broke off acrimoniously as some Taiwanese politicians began to lean towards independence. |
China has threatened military force should that happen. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | "We cannot guarantee there won't be any natural disasters... but through our mutual efforts, we can ensure there is no war," he added. |