Taiwanese and Chinese leaders to hold first meeting since 1949

The leaders of Taiwan and China will meet in Singapore on Saturday to exchange views on cross-strait issues, Taiwan's presidential office said, in the first such meeting of leaders from the two sides since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949.

It said Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will fly to Singapore to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting comes at a politically sensitive time in Taiwan, with elections for a new president and legislature being held on January 16.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement: "The mainland's attitude on a meeting between leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Strait is positive and consistent. If there is news on this, we will issue it in a timely manner."

The purpose of Ma's trip was to "consolidate cross-strait peace and maintain the status quo", his office said. Ma would not sign any agreements, nor issue any joint statements with China during the trip, it added .... http://www.telegraph.co.uk