Talks come amid rising military activity and ahead of Trump’s planned visit to Beijing

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a rare meeting Friday with Taiwanese opposition figure Cheng Li-wun, using the discussion to emphasize Beijing’s position that Taiwan’s unification with mainland China is unavoidable.

During the talks, Xi referenced shared cultural and historical ties between the two sides, stating that unification is a “historic inevitability.” The meeting was notable for bringing together a senior Chinese leader and a prominent member of Taiwan’s opposition party, formally known as the Nationalist Party.

The discussions took place against a backdrop of increasing regional tensions, including expanded Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and continued objections from Beijing over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, as reported by NBC News.

The timing of the meeting also coincides with preparations for a planned visit by President Donald J. Trump to Beijing in the coming weeks, adding a diplomatic dimension to the engagement.

Taiwan, a self-governed island with a population of approximately 23 million people, has long been a focal point of geopolitical tension between China and Western governments. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory, while Taiwan operates with its own political system and leadership.

The meeting with Cheng may signal an effort by Beijing to highlight its influence over Taiwan’s political landscape while reinforcing its longstanding position on reunification.