President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou are scheduled to have a face-to-face communication in Singapore Saturday.

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office says the meeting will be made in the name of leaders of the mainland and Taiwan. This pragmatic arrangement takes into account the one China principle and the unresolved political differences.

The office says the two sides will exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

It is a milestone event, the first meeting between the top leaders from both sides of the Strait since 1949. It will be an important start for direct communication between leaders.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council notes the benefits of enhancing mutual trust, consolidating the common political basis, promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In the past seven years, the two sides have established and enhanced trust based on supporting the 1992 Consensus and opposing the "independence of Taiwan." They opened up a path of peaceful development in relations.

Twenty-three agreements have been signed to resolve issues concerning vital interests of the people. Economic cooperation continues to deepen, bringing tangible benefits to the people.

People across the Strait have worked constantly to achieve direct communication. The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office says this meeting will be held in the name of leaders of both sides.

The two will address each other as "Mr." The pragmatic arrangement was agreed because of unresolved political differences.

The office says the meeting in Singapore shows the two sides want to put aside disputes and respect each other.