Historic China-Taiwan Flights Take Off

First high-level talks since 1949 yield trade agreements amid opposition protests

(NEWSER) - The first high-level talks between China and Taiwan in 60 years have set aside politics in favor of building trade ties, Reuters reports. Negotiations in Taipei sidestepped the sovereignty question and yielded 13 agreements to triple the number of cross-strait flights, allow direct cargo shipments, improve food safety, and normalize financial relations between the once-hostile neighbors. More»

Ma Ying-jeou promises 'sovereignty,' more economic ties with mainland

(NEWSER) - Taiwan has re-elected President Ma Ying-jeou, in a move that might make China smile, but not so fast: Ma says he's more interested in building economic ties with the mainland than re-unifying, reports Bloomberg . Ma won a second term in yesterday's elections, beating the pro-independence opposition candidate 51.6% to 45.6%. Ma's Kuomintang Party also maintained majority control of Taiwan's parliament, although it lost 17 seats overall. More»

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, expert counsels

(NEWSER) - Ahead of breeding season in February, the Taipei Zoo is soliciting expert advice for getting its two giant pandas in the mood. A researcher dispatched from their native China found Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan—presented last year as a symbol of thawing relations between the countries—just a little too chummy, reports the AP . His prescription: some alone time. More»

(AP) - Taiwan has agreed to let the Dalai Lama visit the island to comfort survivors of a devastating typhoon, a decision that could anger China. Beijing considers the Buddhist spiritual leader a "splittist" for promoting autonomy in the Chinese region of Tibet. Allowing him to visit Taiwan could undermine the rapidly improving relations between Beijing and Taipei, which have been developing close business ties after decades of enmity. More»

Despite advances, self-governing island still suspects Beijing

(NEWSER) - The president of Taiwan dismissed any possible peace talks with China in the near future, saying that tension remains too high to discuss political or military issues. The comment came after Wen Jiabao, the Chinese prime minister, called for new cross-Strait discussions at his annual address to the Beijing legislature. "At this stage, we will only talk about economic and trade issues," said the Taiwan president's office. More»