This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8170128.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
China, Taiwan in direct exchange | China, Taiwan in direct exchange |
(30 minutes later) | |
The leaders of China and Taiwan have exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years. | The leaders of China and Taiwan have exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years. |
Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory telegram to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou after his Sunday election to head of the ruling party. | |
Mr Ma responded, suggesting that they "put aside disputes", a statement from Mr Ma's KMT party said. | Mr Ma responded, suggesting that they "put aside disputes", a statement from Mr Ma's KMT party said. |
Mr Ma was elected president last year on pledges to improve ties. The two sides split in 1949 amid civil war. | Mr Ma was elected president last year on pledges to improve ties. The two sides split in 1949 amid civil war. |
Taiwan's Nationalist Party (KMT) elected Mr Ma as its chairman on Sunday, giving him more control of the island's legislative agenda as well as its China policy. | |
"I hope our two parties can continue to promote peaceful cross-Strait development, deepen mutual trust, bring good news to compatriots on both sides and create a revival of the great Chinese race," said Mr Hu's message. | |
As well as being China's president, Mr Hu is also head of the country's Communist Party. | |
China and Taiwan have signed trade and travel deals recently, but contacts have always taken place at a lower level than that of president, and have avoided political issues. | |
Although ties have improved in the last year, Beijing has not put aside its territorial claim to Taiwan, insisting the island is a breakaway province of China. |