China-Taiwan summit two years in making, as leaders eye legacies

A pro-democracy protester (R) carrying a Taiwan flag demonstrates in front of pro-China supporters waving a Chinese national flag outside Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China June 17, 2015. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - This weekend's historic summit in Singapore between the presidents of China and Taiwan may have surprised many, but the sides first broached the subject about two years ago and the leaders had their legacies very much in mind.

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, the summit may not change the outcome of Taiwan's presidential election in January which the island's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is widely expected to win, two sources with ties to the Chinese leadership said. Anti-China sentiment is rising in Taiwan.