China, Taiwan open talks

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Host Taiwanese negotiators opened talks Tuesday with their Chinese counterparts on trade and other agreements in their second round of formal meetings.

The 60-member Chinese delegation, led by Chen Yunlin, is on a five-day trip to the island nation in a follow-up to initial talks held in Beijing in June.

In the June meeting, Taiwan succeeded in convincing China to allow weekend chartered flights and increase the number of Chinese allowed to visit the island nation..

In the Taipei round, both sides plan to sign four agreements on food safety, direct air and shipping links, and direct postal services, Taipei Times reported.

China has always claimed Taiwan as its territory. The talks between the two have resumed after a 10-year gap.

The meeting was marked by heavy police presence and several protests, the Taipei Times reported.

"I am bringing goodwill wishes to Taiwan's 23 million compatriots from the mainland's 1.3 billion people," Chen said, adding the meeting will not deal with political issues, the Times reported.

Chiang Pin-kung, who leads the Taiwanese side, said Chen's visit was a "historic moment" 60 years in the making and was being closely watched by the entire world.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who campaigned on closer trade and economic relations with the mainland, believes such a policy will help reduce confrontation with China.

China's Xinhua news agency quoted Chen as saying once progress is made on direct flights, shipping and postal services, the two sides will discuss financial cooperation and the normalization of economic ties.