Xi Jinping receives Taiwan's opposition leader in unprecedented meeting in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting in Beijing with the leader of the Kuomintang — the main opposition force in Taiwan, Cheng Li Wun — in an unprecedented encounter in the last ten years, occurring against a backdrop of increasing tension in the Middle East and other strategic global areas. The Taiwanese leader began this week a visit to the mainland, which she described as a "mission of peace," following an invitation from the Chinese Communist Party. This marks the first time in a decade that a Kuomintang leader has headed such a delegation.

During the meeting, Xi emphasized the significance of the encounter for the development of relations between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He stated that the aspiration for unity among the Chinese people "will not change," regardless of the international scenario, and stressed the shared responsibility to advance towards greater levels of cooperation. The president also noted that people on both sides of the Strait expect stability, better living conditions, and a smoother relationship, highlighting that these goals require joint efforts.

For her part, Cheng raised the need to strengthen regional economic integration as a key axis for Taiwan's development. In this context, she proposed to promote bilateral economic cooperation and explore the island's participation in multilateral mechanisms such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Additionally, she advocated for the reestablishment of consultation mechanisms between both parties, pointing out that there are prior political foundations that allow for the resumption of dialogue.

In particular, she referred to the so-called 1992 consensus, which recognizes the principle of "one China" with differentiated interpretations. The opposition leader insisted that the reactivation of these channels would allow for the management of differences, reduce confrontation, and contribute to regional stability. Relations between China and Taiwan were interrupted in 1949 after the end of the Chinese civil war, when the Kuomintang retreated to the island.

Since then, ties have primarily been maintained in economic and informal realms, within a context marked by persistent political tensions. The Kuomintang, which governed Taiwan for decades before the democratic transition, continues to pursue eventual unification as one of its key objectives, a position that contrasts with other political forces on the island.