Chinese, Taiwan leaders exchange first direct messages in 60 years

A Nationalist party press statement says Monday's correspondence originated with a congratulatory message from Chinese President Hu Jintao to Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou after he won an election for the ruling party's chairmanship.

Taiwan News reports that Hu addressed the president as “Mister Ma Ying-jeou” and expressed the hope that both parties would continue to develop peaceful relations between Taiwan and China.

In return, Ma called for both sides to work toward peace, the AP reports.