This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-taiwan-hold-first-direct-talks-since-1949-split/2014/02/11/beea8a92-92f3-11e3-b3f7-f5107432ca45_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China, Taiwan hold first direct talks since 1949 split China, Taiwan hold first direct talks since 1949 split
(about 5 hours later)
BEIJING — China and Taiwan held their first official government-to-government talks on Tuesday since splitting during a civil war in 1949, in an attempt to forge closer economic links and reduce tensions over the thorny issue of eventual re-unification. BEIJING — China and Taiwan agreed to establish a formal government-level dialogue for the first time in 65 years, official media reported, after an historic meeting in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.
Tuesday afternoon’s talks in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing may not yield much, but that they are taking place is a breakthrough in itself. Beijing refuses to formally acknowledge the government in Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province, and previous negotiations on cross-strait relations have been conducted by quasi-official representatives rather than government officials. Representatives from both sides smiled and shook hands warmly before Tuesday afternoon’s session, the first formal talks since the country split in two in 1949, after a civil war.
Beijing refuses to formally acknowledge the government in Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province, and previous negotiations on cross-strait relations have been conducted by quasi-official representatives rather than government officials.
Taiwan’s minister of mainland affairs, Wang Yu-chi, called the meeting a “new chapter” in relations between the two sides, and "truly a day for the record books," according to wire service reports.
China’s representative, Zhang Zhijun, said the two negotiators could “definitely become good friends,” but would need to show imagination to achieve breakthroughs in the future, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported. “We absolutely can’t let the relations between the two sides be turbulent again, and even more, we can’t backtrack,” Zhang said.
The two men had only met briefly and informally once before, on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bali last October.
The Chinese government keeps around 1,200 missiles pointed at Taiwan, according to the U.S. government, and Beijing has threatened to attack if the island ever declares formal independence or delays unification indefinitely. With the U.S. government formally committed to defend Taiwan in case of an attack, the issue remains a potential flashpoint.The Chinese government keeps around 1,200 missiles pointed at Taiwan, according to the U.S. government, and Beijing has threatened to attack if the island ever declares formal independence or delays unification indefinitely. With the U.S. government formally committed to defend Taiwan in case of an attack, the issue remains a potential flashpoint.
Nevertheless, Beijing has taken a more conciliatory approach in the past decade, encouraging closer economic and cultural ties. In Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou has also fostered closer links since first taking power in 2008, and trade has since doubled to reach $197 billion last year. The advent of regular direct flights has brought a surge in Chinese tourism to Taiwan. Nevertheless, Beijing has taken a more conciliatory approach in the past decade, encouraging closer economic and cultural ties. In Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou has also fostered closer links since first taking power in 2008, and trade has since doubled to reach $197 billion last year. The advent of regular direct flights between island and the mainland has brought a surge in Chinese tourism to Taiwan.
In October, Ma told The Washington Post he wanted to improve ties further, talking of a “virtuous circle” of better relations that have yielded economic benefits and elevated Taiwan’s international standing. But Ma has become deeply unpopular at home and his ability to make further progress on ties with China before the next election in 2016 may be limited, experts say.In October, Ma told The Washington Post he wanted to improve ties further, talking of a “virtuous circle” of better relations that have yielded economic benefits and elevated Taiwan’s international standing. But Ma has become deeply unpopular at home and his ability to make further progress on ties with China before the next election in 2016 may be limited, experts say.
Taiwan’s people remain firmly opposed to the idea of reunification with China, with about 80 percent supporting the status quo of de-facto independence. China, though, is determined to keep up the pressure on the issue, with President Xi Jinping saying in October that the problem “cannot be passed down from generation to generation.” Taiwan’s people remain firmly opposed to the idea of reunification with China, with about 80 percent supporting the status quo of de-facto independence. China also favors closer economic ties, but is disappointed that improved trade and cultural ties have not changed the minds of ordinary Taiwanese people about reunification. It is determined to keep up the pressure on the issue, with President Xi Jinping saying in October that the problem “cannot be passed down from generation to generation.”
Tuesday’s talks are likely to stick to much safer territory. Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing said he had not expected any breakthroughs at the talks. “However, it is already very substantial to make such a meeting happen and set up such a communication mechanism.”
Taiwan’s lead negotiator Wang Yu-chi says he wants to discuss setting up of permanent representative offices on each other’s territory and to push for greater Taiwanese representation in international organizations, the Associated Press reported. He is also expected to raise the issue of press freedom, with most Taiwanese Web sites blocked in China. Shortly before leaving, Wang described his trip as “not easy,” according to Taiwanese media reports. Taiwan broke away from the rest of China in 1949, when Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist forces fled to the island after their defeat by Mao Zedong’s Communist Party troops. Taiwan has been self-governing ever since and held its first democratic presidential election in 1996.
Beijing’s representative, Zhang Zhijun, is expected to press Taipei to ratify a trade services agreement that would further open up commercial relations, the AP said. Before the talks started, Zhang said he hoped frequent visits would be exchanged in the future, and that the two negotiators could “definitely become good friends,” China’s Xinhua news agency reported. Both governments claim to be the sole legitimate representative of China, but Beijing occupies almost all the posts in international bodies and has largely blocked Taipei’s representatives from taking part.
“Since it is the first meeting, no agreements will be reached,” said Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. “However, it is already very substantial to make such a meeting happen and set up such a communication mechanism.” Wang said the two sides had not discussed the possibility of a meeting between the two presidents.
Taiwan broke away from the rest of China in 1949 when Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist forces fled to the island after their defeat by Mao Zedong’s Communist Party troops. Taiwan has been self-governing ever since and held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. Both governments claim to be the sole legitimate representative of China, but Beijing occupies almost all the posts in international bodies and has largely blocked Taipei’s representatives from taking part.
However, the Taipei-based China Times reported that China will express “good intentions” about Taiwan’s efforts to join regional economic trade groups at Tuesday’s meeting, and may also discuss the possibility of a meeting between the two presidents.
Liu Liu contributed to this report.Liu Liu contributed to this report.