Taipei - A high-level delegation of Chinese scholars arrived in Taipei Thursday for a two-day seminar seen as potentially aiding the opening of political dialogue. The group of 28 specialists in politics and diplomacy was invited by the Pacific Cultural Foundation for a seminar marking the 60th anniversary of the Taiwan-China split at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, a foundation spokesman said.
But observers said the real purpose was for the two sides to have another channel for academics and retired officials to exchange views on thorny political issues in order to pave the way for official cross-strait political dialogue in the future.
Currently contacts between the two sides - focusing just on economic and non-political issues - are conducted through semi-official bodies charged with dealing with each other in the absence of formal ties.
Taiwan and China had been at loggerheads since they split, but relations have improved in the past year after China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou took office and adopted a policy of engaging Beijing.
The Chinese mission is led by political heavyweight Zheng Bijian, former vice president of the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party - an important think tank for the Chinese government.
The delegates are to discuss politics, the economy, culture and various cross-strait issues, the foundation said.
Taiwan media said the two sides are also expected to discuss how to solve political disputes, promote trade and Chinese culture and allow Taiwan to attend international events.
Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China that must be brought back into the Chinese fold one day.
