Source: The Guardian (11/3/15)
China and Taiwan’s presidents to meet for the first time since 1949
AFP in Taipei
Ma Ying-jeou and Xi Jinping will talk in Singapore Saturday, the first time leaders from their countries have met since they split at the end of a civil war
Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, attends a news conference after declaring his win in the election in 2012. Photograph: Reuters
Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou will meet the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in Singapore on Saturday, Ma’s office said, the first time leaders from the two sides will ever have met since they split at the end of a civil war in 1949.
The two presidents will “exchange views on cross-strait issues” Ma’s spokesman, Charles Chen, said on Tuesday, adding that the intention of the visit was to “secure cross-strait peace” but that no agreement would be signed and no joint statement would be made.
Beijing still considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification.
Ties have warmed since Ma of the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) came to power in 2008, but public sentiment has turned against closer relations as fears over Beijing’s influence grow.
Chen said Ma would leave for Singapore on Saturday, where he will meet Xi.
“The purpose of President Ma’s visit is to secure cross-strait peace and maintain the status quo of the Taiwan Straits,” Chen said in a statement.
“No agreement will be signed, nor any joint statement be released,” he added.
The head of Taiwan’s top China policy decision-making body, the Mainland Affairs Council, will hold a press conference on Wednesday where more details will be released as to the significance of the meeting.
Ma will hold an international press conference on Thursday.