Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets Taiwan Opposition Leader in Beijing

Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun on Friday. This marks the first visit by a leader of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), to China in a decade.

During the meeting, both sides expressed a desire to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region. At the meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese President Xi stated that peaceful relations are essential to provide a bright future for the next generations of both sides.

China had suspended high-level dialogue after the Democratic Progressive Party, led by Tsai Ing-wen, came to power in 2016. Beijing took this step, claiming that Taiwan rejected the 'One China' principle. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has kept the option of using force open if necessary.

In the meeting, Xi said that China is ready to expand dialogue and cooperation on the common political basis of opposing Taiwan independence. He also reiterated that the people on both sides are 'Chinese' and that they want peace.

In response, leader Cheng stated that the rejuvenation of the Chinese people is a shared aspiration of both sides, adding that it would make a positive contribution to world peace and human progress.

However, the Democratic Progressive Party has criticized Cheng's visit, accusing her of being overly inclined toward Beijing. China has been refusing to hold formal dialogue with current Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and has labeled him a separatist.

Nevertheless, Ching-te has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to maintaining the status quo. Most Taiwanese citizens appear to favor maintaining the status quo with China. They neither want full integration with China nor do they want a formal declaration of independence.