Breaking News English

A [historic / history] event involving China and Taiwan will take [placing / place] today, Saturday, November the 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet [to / for] discussions in Singapore. It is the first summit [at / to] presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan [since / for] the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their [relation / relations] have remained cautious and, at times, frosty [for / four] decades. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and therefore does not [regard / regarding] it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as [the / an] independent country. The status of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a [soluble / solution] to.

The meeting between the two leaders is a [major / majority] stepping [rock / stone] to repair decades-old [divisions / multiplies] . It could pave the way for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is [readily / already] in place for the milestone [encounter / counter] . The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to [label / address] each other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". [Further / Addition] , the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they issue any [joining / joint] statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange views on [promoting / promotion] the peaceful development of our relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to [solid / solidify] relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".