Divya Delhi: Emphasised that peace is the shared aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as he met Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing. The meeting comes at a sensitive time, ahead of the expected visit of US President Donald Trump to China next month. Cheng, a senior figure from the Kuomintang (KMT), is the first party chairperson to visit mainland China in nearly a decade. The visit is seen as part of Beijing’s broader effort to engage with Taiwan’s opposition amid rising cross-strait tensions. During the meeting, Xi reiterated China’s stance that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory and stressed the importance of peaceful development in cross-strait relations. He noted that maintaining stability and promoting dialogue would benefit people on both sides. China has in recent years increased military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, aiming to push for reunification with the mainland. However, Taiwan’s political landscape remains divided, with opposition parties like the KMT generally favouring closer ties with Beijing compared to the ruling leadership. Analysts say the meeting signals Beijing’s attempt to strengthen communication channels with Taiwanese political groups ahead of key geopolitical developments, including high-level international engagements. The interaction also highlights the continuing complexity of cross-strait relations and the competing visions for Taiwan’s future.
