China and Taiwan held their first government-to-government talks since they split 65 years ago after a brutal civil war - a symbolic yet historic move between the former bitter rivals, AFP news agency reported.Taiwan is likely to focus on reaping practical outcomes from the discussions, such as securing economic benefits or security assurances, while China has one eye on long-term integration of the island, analysts say.Tuesday's meeting is the fruit of years of efforts to improve relations. in Hong Kong.

Taiwan and China are meeting for the highest level talks in over sixty years. It is a historic first for the two governments since their acrimonious split at the end of the civil war in 1949. China maintains Taiwan is part of its territory and wants to bring it back under Beijing's control. But a large majority in Taiwan support the current situation of de-facto independence. Reports from Beijing.