2015年CRI First Time in 66 Years, Leaders across Straits Meet

Addressing each other as "Mr", Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou agreed that the cross-straits ties had reached its best period since 1949.

After a historic handshake lasting 1 for some 70 seconds, Xi Jinping told Ma that history has proved that no force could set the two sides apart.

"The 66-year history of the development of cross-Straits relations shows that no matter how much ordeal 2 the two sides have undergone and how long the two sides have been isolated 3 from each other, they cannot be pulled apart. We are brothers who are still connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken. We are 'one family'."

Looking ahead, Xi Jinping said both sides are now at the crossroads for choosing the direction and path for future development in cross-Straits relations.

"We should prove with concrete moves to the world that the Chinese from both sides have the capabilities 4 and wisdom to solve their own problems. As such, I hope that the two sides could adhere to the 1992 Consensus 5, consolidate 6 common political foundations, stick to the path of peaceful development, and maintain the right direction for development of cross-Straits ties."

Ma Ying-jeou echoed Xi's viewpoints, calling for a joint 7 effort to consolidate the 1992 Consensus, and maintain the peaceful status quo.

In his five-point proposals, Ma suggested that the two sides could achieve a win-win outcome by reducing hostility 8 and resolve disputes in peaceful means, while expanding cross-Straits exchanges.

"Maintaining peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Straits is the mainstream 9 public opinion in Taiwan. The future development of cross-Straits relations must follow the people's desires. I especially emphasized that the two sides must base our ties on integrity, respect, clarity and good will in order to narrow the distance between the two sides. So I specially 10 mentioned that both sides should turn hostility into friendship, and seek peace, not war."

Ma Ying-jeou added that both sides could set up a joint hot-line to exchange views on urgent matters.

At 4pm, Zhang Zhijun, head of mainland's Taiwan affairs office, revealed some key points during their 1 hour meeting behind closed doors.

Zhang Zhijun says Xi has encouraged the expansion of cross-Straits cooperation in various aspects on the basis of "One China" Principle.

"Xi Jinping expressed his great hope that both sides could soon clinched 11 deals about the cross-straits trade on goods and the set-up of cross-straits offices between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). Xi Jinping welcomes people in Taiwan to join the 'Belt and Road' initiatives; also welcomes Taiwan could join the Asian Infrastructure 12 Investment Bank in future."

Both leaders stressed the goodwill 13 across the Taiwan Straits since Ma Ying jeou was elected as Taiwan leader in 2008.

In the past seven years, 23 agreements have been signed between the two sides, making bilateral 14 trade volume worth over 170 billion US dollars.

At the same time, over 8 million tourists travelled across the Straits annually 15.

For CRI, I am Wang Mengzhen.