China ? Taiwan’s next vice president sat down with Chinese leader Hu Jintao for a brief but historic chat Saturday, raising hopes that the rivals would begin to ease six decades of hostilities.

The meeting between Hu and Vincent Siew marked the first time such a high-ranking elected figure from Taiwan visited a Chinese president since the two sides split in 1949, when Communists took over Beijing and Taiwan refused to be ruled by the new government.

The 20-minute talk at a tropical island resort was largely symbolic, focusing on boosting economic ties.

Siew, a 69-year-old technocrat and economics expert, said the meeting was “friendly,” and he left with a positive impression of Hu.

“I believe he’s a pragmatic man,” Siew told reporters Saturday.