China, Taiwan in direct exchange

The presidents have not been involved in previous Taiwan-China contacts

The leaders of China and Taiwan have exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years.

Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory telegram to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou after his Sunday election to head of the ruling party.

Mr Ma responded, suggesting that they "put aside disputes", a statement from Mr Ma's KMT party said.

Mr Ma was elected president last year on pledges to improve ties. The two sides split in 1949 amid civil war.

Taiwan's Nationalist Party (KMT) elected Mr Ma as its chairman on Sunday, giving him more control of the island's legislative agenda as well as its China policy.

"I hope our two parties can continue to promote peaceful cross-Strait development, deepen mutual trust, bring good news to compatriots on both sides and create a revival of the great Chinese race," said Mr Hu's message.

As well as being China's president, Mr Hu is also head of the country's Communist Party.

China and Taiwan have signed trade and travel deals recently, but contacts have always taken place at a lower level than that of president, and have avoided political issues.

Although ties have improved in the last year, Beijing has not put aside its territorial claim to Taiwan, insisting the island is a breakaway province of China.