China and Taiwan leaders start historic meeting with handshake
- 52 minutes ago
- Asia
EPA
The leaders of China and Taiwan are holding historic talks in Singapore - their first in more than 60 years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou shook hands at the start of the talks, which are seen as largely symbolic.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland.
But many Taiwanese see it as independent and are concerned at China's growing influence.
"Both sides should respect each other's values and way of life," Mr Ma said.
Mr Xi told the Taiwanese leader: "We are one family."
EPA
The meeting is taking place in a ballroom at a luxury hotel, on the sidelines of a state visit by Mr Xi to Singapore. The talks will be followed by a news conference and then dinner.
Relations between China and Taiwan have improved under Mr Ma since he took office in 2008, with better economic ties, improving tourism links, and a trade pact signed.
The two sides split in 1949 when the Kuomintang lost to the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war and set up a new government in Taiwan.
What won't be discussed
No major agreements or deals are expected to be reached, and Mr Ma added that the issue of the South China Sea disputes, which has dominated recent concerns in the region, would not be brought up.
Mr Xi raised the issue in a speech at the National University of Singapore before the meeting, saying China has always hoped to settle the disputes peacefully.
What will be discussed
In a sign of how politically sensitive it is, the leaders will address each other as Mr Xi and Mr Ma, rather than president, one Chinese government official has said.
Mr Ma has said talks would be aimed at promoting peace and finding ways to reduce hostilities, such as removing Chinese missiles targeted at Taiwan.
"We hope that the leaders of the countries will move forward and take the first step in the normalisation of ties," he said.
Another key goal, he said, was to institutionalise meetings between the two sides, and persuade China to allow greater recognition of Taiwan in the international community
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