Xi-Ma meeting marks first step to normalizing cross-strait ties

World Today

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-Jeou has defended the historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the first step in normalizing relations between leaders of the two sides. Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou will meet in Singapore on Saturday.

The meeting will promote communication and mutual trust between the two sides, and help manage conflicts and divergences. The plan is to also consolidate ideas to a common political ground, promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and help safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region.

Both sides of the strait should work towards lowering hostilities, broadening communication and deepening interaction.

The landmark meeting is a breakthrough for the leaders, separated by the narrow Taiwan Strait for 66 years. The two sides have become tightly linked, with the launch of direct flights, trade deals and a tourism boom in recent years as they forged closer ties.

CCTV’s Zhong Shi reports.