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| Taiwan and China to hold historic summit in Singapore | Taiwan and China to hold historic summit in Singapore |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Singapore on Saturday - the first ever meeting between leaders of the two sides. | |
| Both said the talks would focus on relations across the Taiwan Straits. | |
| China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to the island after defeat by the Communists. | China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to the island after defeat by the Communists. |
| However, ties have improved since President Ma took office in 2008. | However, ties have improved since President Ma took office in 2008. |
| The Chinese government claims Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to counter any move to outright independence by military force. | The Chinese government claims Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to counter any move to outright independence by military force. |
| China-Taiwan relations in 60 seconds | China-Taiwan relations in 60 seconds |
| Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi-hsin said President Ma's aim was "to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo". | Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi-hsin said President Ma's aim was "to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo". |
| "No agreement will be signed, and no statement issued," he said, adding that Mr Ma would hold a news conference on Thursday to explain his decision to hold the talks. | "No agreement will be signed, and no statement issued," he said, adding that Mr Ma would hold a news conference on Thursday to explain his decision to hold the talks. |
| Taiwan's mainland affairs council is also to hold a news conference on the meeting later on Wednesday, officials said. | Taiwan's mainland affairs council is also to hold a news conference on the meeting later on Wednesday, officials said. |
| China's official Xinhua news said the two sides would "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations". | China's official Xinhua news said the two sides would "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations". |
| White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US welcomed any steps to reduce tensions and improve relations, but added: "We'll have to see what actually comes out of the meeting." | White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US welcomed any steps to reduce tensions and improve relations, but added: "We'll have to see what actually comes out of the meeting." |
| Ties with China have improved under President Ma, whose Kuomintang (KMT) party is seen as pro-Beijing. | Ties with China have improved under President Ma, whose Kuomintang (KMT) party is seen as pro-Beijing. |
| Taiwan-China key dates | Taiwan-China key dates |
| Taiwan profile | Taiwan profile |
| China profile | China profile |
| In July 2009 the two leaders exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years, albeit in their respective party functions, and not as national leaders. | In July 2009 the two leaders exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years, albeit in their respective party functions, and not as national leaders. |
| A year later, the two countries signed a historic trade pact. | A year later, the two countries signed a historic trade pact. |
| However, correspondents say growing fears over China's influence has led to widespread dissatisfaction in Taiwan. | However, correspondents say growing fears over China's influence has led to widespread dissatisfaction in Taiwan. |
| The KMT suffered a crushing defeat in local elections last year, a result that was widely seen as a rejection of President Ma's push for closer ties with China. | The KMT suffered a crushing defeat in local elections last year, a result that was widely seen as a rejection of President Ma's push for closer ties with China. |
| President Ma steps down next year having served two terms and earlier this month the KMT dropped its candidate for January's presidential election following a series of poor ratings in opinion polls. | President Ma steps down next year having served two terms and earlier this month the KMT dropped its candidate for January's presidential election following a series of poor ratings in opinion polls. |
| Analysts say China is likely to see a meeting between the two leaders as a final chance to press its case for improved ties, in case the KMT loses the election. | Analysts say China is likely to see a meeting between the two leaders as a final chance to press its case for improved ties, in case the KMT loses the election. |
| China has insisted that countries cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only 21 UN member states. | China has insisted that countries cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only 21 UN member states. |
| Taiwan also has no seat at the UN, having lost it to China in 1971. Repeated attempts to regain representation at the UN have been blocked. | Taiwan also has no seat at the UN, having lost it to China in 1971. Repeated attempts to regain representation at the UN have been blocked. |