Lien's visit comes a week after the highest-level talks between the two governments since splitting amid a civil war 65 years ago. During the ministerial talks in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 11, both sides agreed to establish a mechanism for liaison and communication across the straits “under the principles of equity and dignity,” the Taiwanese government said.
Lien, accompanied by a delegation from a wide range of sectors, arrived in Beijing Monday for a four-day visit.
In Tuesday's meeting, Xi said cross-straits consultations on political differences should be on an equal basis under the one-China principle, the Global Times newspaper reported.
"Regarding the long-existing political differences across the Taiwan Straits, we are willing to hold consultations with the Taiwan side on an equal basis under the one-China principle and make reasonable arrangements," Xi was quoted as saying.
Lien said that the cross-straits relations have made improvements in the past year, including the reiteration of the 1992 consensus and the emphasis of the statement that "cross-straits relations are not international relations," the Global Times said.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com