Topic
President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou met in Singapore on November 7, 2015, to discuss cross-strait issues in the first such meeting of their leaders since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949.
Two weeks ago, journalism students asked me a question: how come a Xinhua report on the just-ended Fifth Plenum of the Communist Party, which passed the outline of the 13th five-year plan, made no mention of "one country, two systems" nor "Hong Kong people administrating Hong Kong"? Was this omission a bigger story, given certain media played up this aspect?
Symbolism over substance - that is how Beijing and Taipei are managing the first meeting of their top leaders in 70 years.
There is increasing bipartisan consensus on the issue, even from the traditionally pro-Beijing opposition Kuomintang, supported by the Taiwanese people.
Democratic island expected to be front of mind at ‘two sessions’ meetings as mainland ramps up its pressure campaign, while across the strait public sentiment has further hardened against the Chinese government.
A recent speech by the Chinese president used a ‘one-China’ principle that redefined the cross-strait understanding.
The summit between the mainland's Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou created a new "status quo" - one that lets leaders on both sides talk on an equal footing under the "one China" principle, experts say.
Ma Ying-jeou greets hotel guests on his way out of the banquet room, telling reporters that “the atmosphere was really good” and that he was very happy.
Disputes over contested waters should be solved by the nations directly involved, Chinese president says in speech at National University of Singapore
A single misstep in protocol could have sent yesterday's summit spinning off in the wrong direction, but the mainland's Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying-Jeou pulled off the balancing act, creating a friendly atmosphere that matched their message of brotherhood.