Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing

2026-04-10 08:15:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the leader of Taiwan's main opposition party on Friday, in a rare meeting where both sides stressed their desire for peace across the strait.

Cheng Li-wun is the first sitting Kuomintang (KMT) leader to visit China in a decade.

In 2016, Beijing cut off high-level communications with Taiwan after Tsai Ing-wen of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) became president, citing her refusal to support the concept of a single Chinese nation. The DPP is among those who have criticized Cheng's trip, accusing her of "subservience" to Beijing.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking the self-governing island by force.

"The leaders of our two parties are meeting today to safeguard the peace and stability of our common homeland, promote the peaceful development of cross-border relations, and allow future generations to share a bright and beautiful future," Xi said at a meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

He added that China was willing - on the common political basis of opposing Taiwan independence - to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with various parties, including the Kuomintang. Xi also reiterated that those on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and that they all want peace. In response, Cheng said that "the rejuvenation of the Chinese people is a common aspiration of the people on both sides of the Strait."

She added that it would be a "positive contribution to world peace and human progress." The Kuomintang has traditionally maintained warm ties with China, although some analysts say Cheng's willingness to visit the country runs counter to her predecessors' more cautious approach to cross-strait relations. Beijing has refused to hold formal dialogue with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, whom it has labelled a "separatist." Lai has repeatedly pledged to maintain the status quo in cross-strait relations. But Chinese authorities and state media have used harsh rhetoric against him, calling him "disturbing" and "warmongering." Most people in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation. But many also favor maintaining the "status quo" in cross-strait relations, neither joining China nor formally declaring independence./CNA, translated by BBC