It's been 30 years since the ice was broken between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan, after a civil war in the 1940s and a long estrangement that lasted till 1987. Since then, Singapore has played host to two landmark meetings which helped warm relations between both sides. Miro Lu looks back at these historic talks hosted by the Lion City.

The 2015 Xi-Ma meeting in Singapore was a historic event, marking a breakthrough in cross-strait relations when the leaders of Chinese mainland and Taiwan met for the first time in 66 years.

MIRO LU SINGAPORE It was right here at the Shangri-La hotel where Chinese President Xi Jin Ping and the then-Taiwan leader Ma Ying Jeou had a handshake that lasted 90 seconds and attracted the world's attention.

Former journalist Peh Shing Huei witnessed the historic moment firsthand. He reported on the Xi-Ma talks for the South China Morning Post.

PEH SHING HUEI PARTNER, THE NUTGRAF "Anything between both sides naturally would attract a lot of attention. After all, the Taiwan straits remain one of the biggest flash points in Asia. The meeting in 2015 involved the leaders in both sides, something we have never seen before. Dare I say, even a few years before, no one even thought it might be possible. The very fact that such a meeting happened was enough for Asia, for the rest of the world."

Peh added that hosting such a landmark meeting raises the stature of Singapore, a small city state that punches above its weight when it comes to diplomacy. Beijing to add archive footage of the 1993 Wang-Koo meeting It was not the first time Singapore had facilitated a meeting between both sides. In 1993, it hosted talks between Mr. Wang Daohan from Chinese mainland, who was the Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, and Mr. Koo Chen-fu from Taiwan, who was the chief of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Four pacts were signed during the landmark talks, where both sides agreed to more economic, cultural and media exchanges.

MIRO LU SINGAPORE The talks were held at this angular building behind me on Alexandra Road, formerly the headquarters of shipping company Neptune Orient Lines. Singapore was chosen as the host as it was a neutral party with a reputable government.

 LIM TAI WEI RESEARCH FELLOW, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE "In general Singapore is a beneficiary from regional development. And one of the underpinnings of regional development is peace, and peace leads to prosperity. So Singapore is always in favour of a closer working relationship with stakeholders within the region, to minimize conflict, to promote understanding."

Looking ahead, Singapore continues to adhere to the One China policy. It is happy to be the facilitator and venue to build confidence, familiarity and understanding between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore.