China and Taiwan began talking for the first time in almost a decade today.
They are focusing on just a few practical issues, however, and avoiding sensitive political problems.
The only two topics on the agenda are starting direct flights, banned since defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island at the close of the civil war in 1949, and opening Taiwan's doors to Chinese tourists.
Negotiation teams, including tourism and transport officials, sat facing each other at a long table, rimmed by TV cameras, after a lengthy televised handshake between the two smiling team leaders. They were due to talk all day and sign agreements on Friday.
"We feel the great responsibility of this glorious mission and we must spare no effort in realising the aspirations of people on the two sides," China's lead negotiator, Chen Yunlin, said at the opening of the talks, according to Xinhua news agency.
Mr Chen and his Taiwanese counterpart, P.K. Chiang, head semi-official bodies set up to talk in the absence of formal ties.
There is not expected to be any mention of signing a peace treaty, of the missiles Taiwan says China has aimed at the island or of any of the other much trickier subjects both sides are ignoring.
Talks between China and Taiwan were suspended in 1999 as Taiwan's leaders began to lean towards formal independence, angering China's government.