Breaking a tradition that has lasted for more than seven decades, the presidents of Taiwan China and Mainland China have agreed to meet and to talk despite obvious differences and long held animosities. It is the first time the two China’s have met since the Nationalist party left the mainland for Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to Mao and the Communists back in 1949.

The two presidents, Xi Jingping of Mainland China and Ma-Jing-jeou of Taiwan sat and shook hands on Saturday morning at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. They smiled at one another as the paparazzi clicked away, as no one wanted to miss the first greeting. To avoid unnecessary confrontation, the two presidents agreed to simply address one another as Mr. Ma and Mr. Xi, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Xi stated before the talks that this was a “historic day” day and that Mainland China and Taiwan China are “brothers who are still connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken.”

Taiwan has been independent from the Communist Chinese mainland for the past 66 years and has a republican form of government based in Taipei. The Taiwanese, by popular majority, want to remain separate from their Communist brethren. Taiwan has a current population of 23 million.

The Mainland Chinese, however, have always thought of Taiwan as a renegade state that must be brought to heel and returned back to China proper. Ma opened his comments by stating that he thinks it of grave importance that the two sides show proper respect for one another’s way of life and points of view on things.

Mainland China continues to be the bully big brother to Taiwan in many ways. It has used its powerful leverage to keep Taiwan out of the international arena for the most part including being denied a seat at the United Nations. Ma also expressed concerns to Xi about the recent deployment of rockets and missiles just across the water from the Taiwanese island. Xi insists that Taiwan is in no danger and that the missiles are not directed at the island.

Around 400 Taiwanese gathered outside the hotel to protest Ma even daring to meet with Xi. The Taiwanese, for the most part, are highly suspicious and mistrustful of their Communist brothers.