The leaders of China and Taiwan are to hold talks for the first time since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, BBC News reports.
Discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will begin in Singapore Saturday, November 7.
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 Ma since he took office in 2008, with better economic ties, improving tourism links, and a trade pact signed.
The meeting is taking place on the sidelines of a state visit by Xi to Singapore.
In a sign of how politically sensitive it is, the leaders will address each other as Mr Xi and Mr Ma, rather than president, one Chinese government official has said.
Ma has said talks would be aimed at promoting peace and finding ways to reduce hostilities, such as removing Chinese missiles targeted at Taiwan.
Another key goal, he said, was to institutionalize meetings between the two sides, and persuade China to allow greater recognition of Taiwan in the international community.
No major agreements or deals are expected to be reached, and Ma added that the issue of the South China Sea disputes, which has dominated recent concerns in the region, would not be brought up.
