China and Taiwan today commence four days of their highest-level talks in 65 years, since 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalists lost the civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, fled to the island and declared independence from the mainland.  

The two sides are meeting in Nanjing for what is widely seen as a symbolic, confidence-building exercise between two governments that only in the past few years have recognized each other.  Cross-strait flights began in 2008, and tourists from the mainland have boosted Taiwan's economy.

Beijing still regards Taiwan as a renegade province, and likely is eying the long view with the eventual reintegration of the island.  But in the short-term, China will nudge Taipei to pass a free trade deal that is currently stalled in parliament.

Taiwan is likely to focus on reaping practical outcomes from the talks, such as securing economic benefits or security assurances.