For the first time since the end of China's civil war in 1949, representatives from the two governments on either side of the Taiwan Strait sat down at the same table to discuss a shared future. Although expectations were low, the mere fact that the meeting took place is significant.
More progress is expected in the cross-strait relationship as trust builds between the governments in Beijing and Taipei — and Beijing tries to lock in gains ahead of the new round of presidential elections in Taiwan.
The governments in both China and Taiwan have claimed to be the rightful ruler of "one China" since the Nationalists fled the mainland in 1949. Beijing has insisted that Taiwan is a renegade province and that any attempt by that government to accept reality — that it will not regain control of the mainland — and declare its independence from China would be a pretext for war.