BEIJING — Taiwan's opposition leader shook hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao in a landmark meeting in the Great Hall of the People on Friday, symbolically ending a standoff between their political parties that had existed for nearly six decades.
People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were able to watch on live television as the former enemies reached out to each other in the heart of the Chinese capital for the first time since the Nationalists, who once ruled China, fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists.
While acknowledging their differences, Hu and Nationalist Party leader Lien Chan agreed to put the past behind them and work toward a common future.
"Since the moment you stepped on mainland soil, our two parties took a historic step forward," Hu said in his welcoming remarks. "We should show the world that Chinese from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have the ability and the wisdom to resolve our own problems
Lien, who is in China for an eight-day visit at Beijing's invitation, acknowledged that the trip was long overdue.
"We had our conflicts, we are all familiar with that history," Lien said. "But that history is in the past. We have no ability to change history. But the future is in our hands."
After a two-hour talk in the massive meeting hall on Tiananmen Square, the two men issued a five-point statement calling for an end to military tensions and greater economic cooperation. The statement is based on agreement that there is only one China and that Taiwan should not be independent.
The statement said nothing specific about a possible reduction of the mainland's 700 missiles pointed at Taiwan. Beijing says the island is part of its territory, to be taken back by force if necessary. China passed a controversial anti-secession law last month that critics say created ill will with Taiwan.
Lien and Hu vowed to work toward an accord to end hostilities, push for direct transportation links across the strait and open the mainland market to Taiwanese farm goods. They also agreed to work toward allowing Taiwan to join international bodies such as the World Health Organization, a move Beijing has opposed.
However, as opposition leader, Lien has little power to implement any of these initiatives. He said Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who grudgingly gave his blessing to the trip after initially accusing Lien of selling out to Beijing, must do more.
