TAIPEI, Taiwan, Safar 18, 1437, November 30, 2015, SPA -- Taiwan said it exchanged spies with Beijing before a historic summit took place between Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according. The announcement came Monday, and Taiwan's government said the exchange took place as a goodwill gesture. The two sides exchanged agents at a 2-to-1 ratio. Beijing released Taiwan's Chu Kung-hsun and Hsu Chang-kuo, detained in China for nine years, and Taiwan freed Li Zhihao, placed in prison 16 years ago, the BBC reported. Li was serving a life sentence. The news follows the steady easing of tensions since Ma assumed office in 2008. The Taiwanese leader vowed to improve ties and on Nov. 7 held a historic summit with Xi. Taiwan has grown economically closer to the mainland, but the political maneuvers of Ma's ruling party, the Kuomintang, have led to its waning popularity among voters. Ma's critics have said the outgoing president wants to burnish his legacy and send a subtle message to the opposition. --SPA 22:12 LOCAL TIME 19:12 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w