By Chris Buckley
LIMA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Chinese President Hu Jintao met a senior Taiwanese official during a gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders on Friday, with officials from Taiwan calling the encounter a sign of the disputed island's improved standing.
Beijing has blocked Taiwan's efforts to join international organizations, calling the self-governed island an illegitimate breakaway from China. But the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum held this year in Peru's capital, Lima, includes China and Taiwan as separate economies.
Hu met Taiwan's Lien Chan ahead of the summit in a show of goodwill when the two sides are seeking to ease tensions that have made the strait between them a military flashpoint.
"This is a meeting between old friends," said Victor Chu, an official from Lien's delegation, after the meeting started.
"This is the first time we've had a meeting like this in an international forum like APEC ... Before we've had handshakes but not a meeting."
Chinese officials also confirmed the meeting, but offered no further immediate comment.
Lien is honorary chairman of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party and has been praised by China for his efforts to bring the two sides closer.
Taiwan has been divided from the mainland since 1949, when defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island from advancing Communist troops. Ever since, Beijing has demanded that Taiwan accept eventual reunification and threatened war if the island pushes for full formal independence.
But tensions have eased as Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, in office since May, seeks to expand economic and transport ties with the mainland and edge towards discussions over the island's political status.
Earlier this month, negotiators agreed on daily charter flights during a landmark visit by Beijing's top Taiwan negotiator Chen Yunlin to the island's capital, Taipei.
Taiwan also wants a place in international organizations, including the World Health Organization.
But Chinese officials have said Taiwan's attendance at APEC does not soften Beijing's position that there is only "one China" which includes Taiwan. (Editing by Fiona Ortiz and Jackie Frank)