Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the highest-level encounter between a Taiwanese figure and Xi since 2015. Both leaders voiced strong opposition to Taiwan independence and pledged to pursue a peaceful resolution to cross-strait tensions.Cheng emphasized shared cultural heritage between China and Taiwan, urging both sides to “transcend political confrontation and mutual hostility.” She suggested slowing Taiwan’s military buildup and warned against turning the Taiwan Strait into a flashpoint or “chessboard for external powers.” Instead, she envisioned it as a bridge of “family ties, civilisation and hope.”The meeting included closed-door talks, public remarks, and photo opportunities at the Great Hall of the People.

Cheng echoed Chinese Communist Party rhetoric on poverty eradication and national rejuvenation. As a senior KMT figure advocating closer engagement with Beijing, her visit highlights ongoing political divides within Taiwan’s democratic system regarding relations with China.(Word count: 132)

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