Xi-Ma summit sets new one-China 'status quo' test for Taiwan's next leader, analysts say

The summit between the mainland's Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou created a new "status quo" - one that lets leaders on both sides talk on an equal footing under the "one China" principle, experts say.

Maintaining the status quo has been the principle upheld by the mainland and Taiwan.

The summit not only set a precedent for the two sides to have high-level talks but also set an example - and restrictions - for the future ruling party and president of Taiwan to accept the one-China principle if peace was to be maintained, they added.

Under an understanding reached between semi-official channels in 1992, Beijing and Taipei agreed there was only one China but agreed to disagree on what that constituted.

Dr Tsai Ing-wen and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party do not recognise the verbal deal, and she has repeatedly said she would maintain the existing state of relations. Tsai is the front runner in Taiwan's presidential race.

But the summit on Saturday has created a "new status quo", analysts say. "President Xi and Ma have joined hands and created a new status quo, which is high-level talks between two leaders across the Taiwan Strait to peaceful develop relations, on the basis of recognising the 1992 consensus," said Zhang Tongxin, who studies Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Macau affairs at Renmin University. "It has restricted future leaders - from any party - if they wish to maintain the status quo of peaceful development."