China, Taiwan Open Summit with Historic Handshake

Local Editor

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou shook hands and smiled broadly Saturday as they opened a historic summit, the first since the two sides' 1949 split following a civil war.

Ma said the two sides should observe mutual respect after decades of hostility and rivalry, but that the "fruits of conciliation" lay ahead.

"Behind us is history stretching for 60 years. Now before our eyes there are fruits of conciliation instead of confrontation," he said.

No agreements or joint statements are expected from the encounter between two sides that still refuse to formally recognize each other's legitimacy.

Around 100 angry demonstrators attempted to storm Taiwan's parliament building in Taipei overnight to denounce the summit.

Another protest was held at the capital's airport as Ma departed, with demonstrators burning images of the two leaders. Police said 27 people were arrested at the airport.

Despite the summit, China and Taiwan still refuse to formally recognize each other's legitimacy, and Xi and Ma tread a delicate line for the summit. Neither addressed each other as "president", instead they used "mister."

Reunification of the two sides is not yet on the table, a possibility that remains far in the future, if it ever occurs. But Ma expressed hope the meeting will be a step toward normalizing cross-strait relations, and says it could boost Taiwan's international profile.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team