Taiwan’s opposition leader and Chinese President Hu Jintao promised today to work together to end hostilities between Taipei and Beijing, during the highest-level meeting between the two sides since they split amid civil war nearly six decades ago.

China today rejected ties between the nation’s Catholics and the Vatican, indicating that Beijing has not budged on a key issue in their split despite expressing hope for better relations following the death of Pope John Paul.

The Vatican wants to cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognise the island’s rival China because the move would give Catholics more freedom on the mainland, Hong Kong’s bishop said in a newspaper article today.

China’s parliament today authorised the military to go to war to stop any Taiwanese independence move – a step that caused alarm across Asia.

China’s threat to oppose Taiwanese independence with military force today has triggered an immediate call for peaceful dialogue from Japan and discussion of Australia’s treaty obligations should a war break out.

Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian said today he would not shut the door on eventual unification with China if Beijing expressed goodwill.

Chinese planes touched down in Taiwan today, completing the first non-stop flights between the rivals since a bloody civil war split the two sides 56 years ago.

Taiwan announced 12 new deaths from SARS today – taking the world toll to more than 700 – as Toronto geared up for a re-emergence of the disease with fears that 33 people might have it.

Ireland have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup Sevens Bowl with a 24-19 victory over Chinese Taipei.