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China-Taiwan forum opens amid row Beijing urges closer Taiwan ties
(about 4 hours later)
Talks aimed at improving ties between China and Taiwan are to open in Beijing amid heightened tensions following a row between the two rival neighbours. Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for closer economic and cultural exchanges between China and Taiwan.
More than 30 MPs from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), will take part in the two-day event. Mr Hu was speaking at a China-Taiwan forum in Beijing, aimed at improving ties between the two rival neighbours.
The forum is being sponsored by the KMT and China's ruling Communist Party. More than 30 MPs from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), are taking part in the two-day event.
It comes just days after Taiwan, seen by China as part of its territory, rejected Beijing's plan for the Olympic torch to pass through the island.It comes just days after Taiwan, seen by China as part of its territory, rejected Beijing's plan for the Olympic torch to pass through the island.
The KMT lawmakers are travelling to Beijing together with a large group of Taiwan's business leaders. President Hu told some 500 participants at the forum that China's economic growth offered more opportunities for better exchanges between China and Taiwan, China's official Xinhua news agency said.
Mr Hu said this would benefit both sides and help "curb Taiwan secessionist activities and maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait".
In all, some 500 people from both sides will take part in the Cross-Strait talks aimed at improving economic, trade and cultural exchanges. A large group of Taiwan's business leaders is also taking part in the forum. class="bodl" href="#map"> See planned East Asia leg of torch relay
class="bodl" href="#map"> See planned East Asia leg of torch relay The gathering is the third of its kind since a visit to China by former KMT head Lien Chan in 2005.
The forum is the third of its kind since a visit to China by former KMT head Lien Chan in 2005.
He was the first party chairman to return to the mainland since the KMT fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war more than 50 years ago.He was the first party chairman to return to the mainland since the KMT fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war more than 50 years ago.
Olympic rowOlympic row
But the meeting is being overshadowed by the row whether the Olympic torch should travel through Taiwan before arriving in China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.But the meeting is being overshadowed by the row whether the Olympic torch should travel through Taiwan before arriving in China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Taiwan rejected China's move as an attack on its sovereignty
On Thursday, Taiwan's authorities rejected China's plans for the torch to pass through the island as part of a domestic - rather than international - route.On Thursday, Taiwan's authorities rejected China's plans for the torch to pass through the island as part of a domestic - rather than international - route.
China wants the torch to go from Taiwan to Hong Kong on its way to Beijing.China wants the torch to go from Taiwan to Hong Kong on its way to Beijing.
But Taipei said the plan was unacceptable and compromised the island's sovereignty.But Taipei said the plan was unacceptable and compromised the island's sovereignty.
In response, China expressed its surprise over Taipei's rejection of the plan.In response, China expressed its surprise over Taipei's rejection of the plan.
The executive vice-president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Jiang Xiaoyu, said Taiwan's decision "breached the principle of separating sport from politics as enshrined in the Olympic charter".The executive vice-president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Jiang Xiaoyu, said Taiwan's decision "breached the principle of separating sport from politics as enshrined in the Olympic charter".
Taiwan and China have been ruled by separate governments since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.Taiwan and China have been ruled by separate governments since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.
The authorities in Beijing regard Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the rest of China - by force if necessary.The authorities in Beijing regard Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the rest of China - by force if necessary.
For the Olympics, the island is referred to as Chinese Taipei.For the Olympics, the island is referred to as Chinese Taipei.
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