The heads of the two main negotiating bodies of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan sat down together in Taipei on Tuesday morning for their first ever summit in Taiwan.

The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) president, Chen Yunlin, and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman, Chiang Pin-kung, began talks in Taipei.

Chen thanked Taiwan compatriots for their understanding and support for the meeting, which he said was a milestone for the positive development of the cross-strait relationship.

"We feel relieved and honored to help the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship and promote the mutual benefits of the compatriots on both sides of the Strait," Chen said.

Chen said that once progress had been made on direct flights, shipping and postal services between the mainland and Taiwan, the ARATS and SEF would discuss financial cooperation and the normalization of economic ties.

In June, the ARATS and the SEF held talks in Beijing and signed two agreements, almost 10 years after the suspension of talks.

Chen Yunlin arrived in Taipei Monday for a five-day milestone visit to the island.

The talks were aimed at deepening cross-Strait economic cooperation "for the benefit of compatriots across the Strait," according to mainland authorities.

Chen said the talks would not involve political issues. "No cross-Strait political issues will be involved, nor will the island's internal political affairs."

The two organizations were to discuss cross-Strait direct shipping, air transport, postal services, food safety and tourism, Chen said in a speech after landing at the Taoyuan International Airport.

They would also host seminars for experts to exchange views on financial cooperation in light of the international financial crisis, he said.

Chiang Pin-kung said Chen's visit to Taiwan was historic as well as a key step in achieving peace and mutual economic benefit.

He believed their talks would yield fruitful results.
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