Talks about migration were resumed recently after a six-year hiatus, and the two sides are also discussing the resumption of direct postal services.
Cuba notified the Obama administration it was ready to resume talks on migration issues and to negotiate direct postal service between the countries for the first time in decades.
The reform had introduced direct elections for members of the Council of Magistrates, which nominates and disciplines judges, a move that the opposition said endangered the independence of the judiciary.Cuba held talks with the United States about resuming the direct postal service between the two countries, which was suspended in 1963, four years after Fidel Castro took power.
The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, as they are formally known, may have never formally concluded hostilities, but relations have warmed rapidly since Taiwan's 2008 election of President Ma Ying-jeou, who promptly broadened economic ties and signed accords on direct postal, shipping and air links.
Open-ended online surveys generally yield much lower response rates than a direct personal invitation via postal mail accompanied by a paper questionnaire.
Since Mr. Ma's inauguration, a raft of breakthrough agreements between Taiwan and China have yielded a pair of pandas for the Taipei Zoo; the opening of direct shipping, postal and air links; and an arrangement that last year allowed 1.2 million mainland tourists to visit — and spend money — on the island.
Direct trade, postal and transport links cannot be opened without discussions with China, and here the prospects are not good.
There are now direct flights, postal services and new shipping routes between Taiwan and the mainland, and a landmark free trade agreement has slashed tariffs on hundreds of goods.
In leading however to direct air, postal and tourist links, this agreement and Mr Hu's leadership have done more to normalise the relationship than previous leaders.
