Taiwan, China launch hotline: The
first hotline between China and Taiwan
was launched fednesday, in a move
desisned to build ties between the two
sidei following a historic summit between
their leaders.
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and
Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to
set uo the hotline between senior officials
during a landmark meeting in Singapore in
November.
The talks reflected a rapprochement
between the two sides since Ma came to
power in 2008, but which has stoked fears
of growing Chinese influence in Taiwan'
Andrew Hsia, chairman of Taiwan's
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), talked
with China's top Taiwan affairs official
Zhang Zhijwon Wednesday moming, accordine
to a statement from his office.
"Chiirman Hsia said in the phone
call the hotline is an important concrete
outcome from the meeting of the leaders
of the two sides. He expects the two sides
can communicate more smoothly in urgent
matters through the hotline," the statement
salq.
It described the hotline as "another
important step forward" in exchanges
between China and Taiwan.
Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China's
Taiwan Affairs Office, confirmed the
call had taken place, Beijing's state news
agency Xinhua reported.
"We hope the two authorities will make
efforts to maintain and promote peaceful
development of cross-Strait relations,,'
Xinhua quoted Ma as savins.
November's summit'i,aithe fi rst time
leaders from the two sides had met since
their haumatic 1949 split.
No agreements werb announced
between the two, which still refuse to formally
recognise each other's legitimacy,
and Ma Ying-jeou's participation faced
significant opposition at home. (AFP)
