Next step: opening financial services.

So reports Faith Hung.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan and China are aiming for an agreement to open their markets to the other's banks, insurers and brokers, officials said on Wednesday, in another sign of the new spirit of cooperation and openness between the two neighbours.

The two sides, long bitter political rivals, agreed on Tuesday to more daily direct flights, direct air and sea cargo shipments and early notification of food safety issues as part of the highest-level visit of a Chinese official in 60 years.

Also note the standard cut-and-paste screw up:

China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the civil war on the mainland in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under mainland rule, by force if necessary.