Ma praises China-Taiwan meeting

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A landmark meeting over the weekend has "started to thaw the ice" between Taiwan and China, according to Taiwan's incoming president, Ma Ying-jeou.

Vice-President-elect Vincent Siew met Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of a conference on Saturday.

It was the highest-level contact between the two governments since their post-civil war split in 1949.

Mr Ma said he hoped negotiations across the Taiwan Straits could resume as soon as he takes office next month.

But he also acknowledged there was still "a long way to go" in improving relations with China, adding: "We have melted only a small chunk of the iceberg."

The authorities in Beijing regard Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, and have aggressively countered any moves to formalise Taiwan's de facto independence.

'Goodwill'

Mr Ma, who takes office on 20 May, said he was encouraged by the weekend talks, which took place on the sidelines of a regional forum in Hainan, southern China.

<a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7345260.stm">Historic meeting narrows gulf</a>

"Thanks to the... meeting, some of the barriers for the resumption of talks have been removed," he said. "The mainland authorities displayed goodwill at the forum."

Mr Ma, who won the presidential elections in March with a comfortable majority, campaigned on a pledge to improve relations with China, increase tourism and trade with the mainland and work on a peace treaty to end hostilities.

He told reporters that during the weekend meeting, Beijing had "responded positively" to Taiwan's proposals of a further opening-up of the island to mainland tourists, including more direct flights.

Taiwan has banned direct trade and most direct transport links with the mainland since 1949, and visits to the island by mainland tourists are severely restricted.