Historic visit by presidents of Taiwan and China

[Astronuc]

Taiwan, Chinese presidents to meet for first time since '49
http://news.yahoo.com/taiwan-chinese-presidents-meet-first-time-since-49-062130105.html

BEIJING (AP) — The presidents of China and Taiwan will meet this weekend for the first time since civil war divided their lands 66 years ago, their governments said Wednesday, a highly symbolic move that reflects quickly improving relations between the formerly bitter Cold War foes.

The meeting Saturday in Singapore between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Taiwanese counterpart, Ma Ying-jeou, could be China's last chance to press its case for closer economic and political ties before Taiwan elections in January that may put the brakes on Ma's pro-China initiatives.
. . . .

Let's see where this goes.

Good time for China to recognize Taiwan as a separate nation - a situation like Great Britain and the US, or US and Canada.

On the other hand,

The arrangements avoid the phrases "countries" and "president," in line with Beijing's insistence that Taiwan is not a sovereign nation, but part of China as a single country. However, they give the two leaders equal status, a concession that could blunt criticism from Taiwan's pro-independence opposition, which accuses the Nationalists of pandering to China's ruling Communists.

The two sides never talked formally until Ma, president since 2008, set aside old hostilities to allow lower-level official meetings. China and Taiwan have signed 23 deals covering mainly trade, transit and investment, binding Taiwan closer to its top trading partner and the world's second-largest economy.

Some context from last year - https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/taiwanese-student-protest.744950/

 

[Hornbein]

Good time for China to recognize Taiwan as a separate nation - a situation like Great Britain and the US, or US and Canada.

Taiwan is recognized by only 21 tiny nations like Haiti and Swaziland. Those 21 have the only embassies in Taipei. Unless you want to go to Panama or some place like that, you can't get an onward visa in Taiwan. You'd have to use international mail.

The USA does not allow the President of Taiwan to enter the United States. They did allow him to sit inside an airplane as it refueled in Alaska.

 

[Astronuc]

Presidents of China, Taiwan meet for 1st time, shake hands
http://news.yahoo.com/china-taiwan-presidents-meet-1st-time-ever-shake-071806468.html

SINGAPORE (AP) — The leaders of China and Taiwan met Saturday for the first time since the formerly bitter Cold War foes split amid civil war 66 years ago, and though no concrete agreement resulted, both hailed the meeting as a sign of a new stability in relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou came together on neutral ground in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore, walking toward each other in a hotel ballroom in front of a backdrop of yellow — a traditional color of Chinese emperors.
. . . .
No national flags were present — a necessary work-around to overcome China's refusal to recognize Taiwan's sovereignty or its government's formal legitimacy — and the two men were referred to merely as "Mr. Xi" and "Mr. Ma" to further reduce the chances of bruised sensitivities.

Xi referred to China's long-cherished goals of unification with Taiwan, saying, "We are one family," and "No force can pull us apart."

Ma responded "Both sides should respect each other's values and way of life," while adding that relations between the sides were "the most peaceful and stable they have ever been."

Let's be close, but not that close.

http://news.yahoo.com/leaders-china-taiwan-meet-first-time-six-decades-000345693--business.html