China and Taiwan leaders in historic meeting
The leaders of China and Taiwan are to hold talks for the first time since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, the BBC reports.
Discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will begin in Singapore at 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT).
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland, by force if needed.
There were protests against the talks in Taipei and one group tried to enter Taiwan's parliament building.
Relations have improved under Mr Ma since he took office in 2008, with better economic ties, improving tourism links, and a trade pact signed.
The two sides split in 1949 when the Kuomintang lost to the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war and set up a new government in Taiwan.