Thanks to the richness of Chinese linguistics, Hu Jintao and James Soong Chu-yu have agreed to a new 'two sides, one China' formula to break the political impasse across the Taiwan Strait.
The formula, which will most likely be dubbed the '2005 consensus', could pave the way for a resumption of bilateral talks between the governments in Taipei and Beijing.
However, the new formula is not in fact new and is just another redefinition of the '1992 consensus' and one-China principle, which Beijing has said Taipei must recognise before direct talks can resume.
It is apparently aimed at making it easier for Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to accept because he has repeatedly rejected the '1992 consensus'.
Mr Chen will be under mounting international and domestic pressure to react positively to the offer.
During the next few days, observers will likely be carefully sifting through Mr Chen's remarks for clues and signs, although he is set to make a formal response on May 20, the anniversary of the start of his second-term presidency.
Whatever his responses are, Mr Chen has been put in a difficult position. He risks deepening a political divide in Taiwan if he flatly rejects the offer, but if he embraces it, he will further alienate the hard-line independence supporters within his party.
