Historic reconciliation

There is every reason to hope for the best of times in cross-Straits relations after yesterday's meeting between top leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Kuomintang (KMT).

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, held talks in Beijing with KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung, who embarked on his six-day mainland visit less than a week after former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou took office as Taiwan's leader.

Their historic meeting came as an inspiring symbol of cross-Straits reconciliation, especially in view of the lingering tension in bilateral ties that characterized the eight-year rule of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).