China signals Taiwan dialogue

Boao: Chinese President Hu Jintao has said he is seriously considering improving ties with Taiwan, a day after a historic meeting.

Hu and Taiwanese Vice President-elect Vincent Siew, who will take office next month, met on the sidelines of a business conference on Saturday.

The US welcomed the meeting, which could herald a thawing in relations between China and Taiwan.

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was at the conference in Boao, said it was “very good news for the region.''