By Blessing Nweke
China’s President Xi Jinping held a rare meeting on Friday with Cheng Li-wun, the head of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), in a move both sides said was aimed at promoting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Cheng’s visit marks the first time in a decade that a sitting KMT leader has traveled to China, underscoring a potential thaw in unofficial ties despite ongoing political tensions. High-level communication between Beijing and Taipei has largely been frozen since 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party took office and declined to endorse Beijing’s “one China” framework.
Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi said the meeting was intended to “safeguard peace and stability” and promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. He reiterated that both sides belong to “one Chinese nation” and emphasized opposition to Taiwan independence as a foundation for dialogue.
Cheng echoed the call for cooperation, saying the “rejuvenation of the Chinese people” was a shared aspiration and that engagement could contribute positively to global peace.
However, the visit has drawn criticism in Taiwan, particularly from the ruling DPP, which accused Cheng of being overly accommodating toward Beijing. China continues to claim Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.
Meanwhile, Beijing has refused formal engagement with Taiwan’s current president, Lai Ching -te, labeling him a separatist. Lai has maintained a commitment to preserving the status quo, reflecting public opinion in Taiwan, where many favor neither unification nor formal independence.
Original article
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