Taiwan, China leaders to hold historic meeting for first time since 1949

Taiwan’s president will meet Saturday with his counterpart from once icy political rival China, the Taiwanese side said, a historic first since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949 and the culmination of nearly eight years of quickly improved relations despite wariness among many Taiwanese of the mainland government. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore to exchange ideas about relations between the two sides but not sign any deals, presidential spokesman Charles Chen said in a statement early Wednesday.

To hold a meeting across the Taiwan Strait is the consistent goal of leaders on both sides. President Ma recently has repeated many times that ‘at the right time and on the right occasion and in the right capacity’ he would not rule out a meeting.

Taiwanese presidential spokesman Charles Chen

In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. would welcome steps taken on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to try to reduce tensions and improve relations, but added, “we’ll have to see what actually comes out of the meeting.” China is likely to see the meeting as a final chance before elections in Taiwan to press its case for stronger ties in case the Nationalists lose the Jan. 16 presidential poll to an anti-Beijing opposition party, as widely forecast.

This meeting will only hurt the Nationalists at home, as it will cause them to even more be seen as Beijing’s preferred Taiwan party. This could be the mainland’s last chance to liaise with the Nationalist Party, while it’s in power, for years to come.

Sean King, senior vice president with the consultancy Park Strategies in New York

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