By Mahmut Atanur
BEIJING
China's President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's ruling party chairman Eric Chu met Monday, with the intention of boosting economic ties.
According to state news agency Xinhua, Xi stressed the importance of building a common destiny and solving political differences through equal consultation
Since nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949 after a brutal civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists, China has seen the region as a breakaway province that will eventually return.
"The two sides can consult with each other on equal basis under the principle of 'One China', and reach a reasonable arrangement," Xi said.
He added that China is willing to boost economic developments with Taiwan.
According to Xinhua, the pair met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Although Chu is the third nationalist chairman to visit the mainland, Monday's meeting was the first between the two leaders.
