Mainland, Taiwan sign landmark deals

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-05-2008 08:37

Top negotiators from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have held their first meeting in Taipei. They signed deals on direct sea and air transportation, postal services and food safety.

The Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF)  Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (front, 2nd R) presents a gift  to Chinese mainland's Association for Relations Across  the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) President Chen Yunlin  (front, 2nd L) at the agreement signing ceremony in Taipei  of southeast China's Taiwan Province Nov. 4, 2008.  Chen Yunlin and Chiang Pin-kung signed four agreements  on direct sea transport, direct flights, mail service  and food safety cooperation on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

Under the new agreements, the two sides will open direct flight and shipping services on a daily basis.

Across the table, and across the straits this handshake did not come easily.

Fifteen years ago, the former leaders of the two organizations had to meet in another country for their first talks.

This time, a different atmosphere, and different results.

Chen Yunlin, chairman of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits said, "It is the first time since the establishment of the two organizations that we have held a meeting between the two sides' leaders in Taipei. It also marks an important sign that the two sides' relationship continues to improve and develop. "