China and Taiwan sign economic deals

TAIWAN and China yesterday signed a range of deals aimed at bringing the two sides closer economically, after almost 60 years of hostilities that often took them to the brink of war.

Officials from the two sides were shown live on television signing four agreements that are potentially worth billions of euro, after talks that marked a significant warming of ties between the former bitter enemies.

Both sides have agreed to introduce direct cargo shipping and postal services, to add passenger flights and to discuss food security in the wake of health problems caused by poisonous Chinese food imports.