Taiwan, China talk economy
For the first time in almost 60 years, high-level heads of China and Taiwan met to discuss economic cooperation. Lisa Chow reports from Beijing this could leave mainland Chinese free to visit Taiwan whenever they wanted.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Taiwan's Kuomintang chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (L) during a red carpet welcome at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 28, 2008 (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
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TEXT OF STORY
Scott Jagow: The leader of Taiwan's ruling party met with Chinese President Hu Jintao today in Beijing. This doesn't happen often. Taiwan split from the mainland in 1949, and the heads of the ruling parties haven't met since then. Now, they're talking economic cooperation. Lisa Chow reports from Beijing.
Lisa Chow: This latest round of high-level meetings is part of a slow-moving process with big implications. It could eventually mean mainland Chinese would be free to visit Taiwan any time they want.
It could also mean they could fly there, directly. Right now, you have to stop in Hong Kong on every leg when traveling between the mainland and Taiwan.
It's a big nuisance for regular business travelers from the Island. Direct flights would shorten and cheapen the ride for Taiwan investors who have poured billions of dollars in China since the late 1980's.
Chinese leaders have already expressed their support for Taiwan's proposal for direct weekend flights. And Beijing may also agree to expand the number of mainland tourists allowed to travel to the island.
This is all good news for the United States. Warming relations between mainland China and U.S.-allied Taiwan could remove one of Asia's biggest potential flashpoints.
In Beijing, I'm Lisa Chow for Marketplace.
Comments
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From Atlanta, GA, 06/05/2008
Sounds like good news and looks like both countries (China and Taiwan)are moving in a similar direction. I just hope this is not a stunt by China temporary due to the 2008 Olympic. I am still a firm believer that Taiwan will never become part of China due to the culture difference and thinking. Although I think China will and cotinues to use its economic power instead of its military power to intimidate Taiwan in the future, because then US can't do a thing about it. However, it would just deepens the desire in Taiwanese people for independence.
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