Xi Meets Taiwan Opposition Leader, Vows Unification Confidence

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Wednesday. It was the first meeting of its kind in over ten years. President Xi expressed strong confidence that Taiwan and mainland China will eventually "get together." He emphasized the need for cross-strait cooperation. "Compatriots on both sides of the strait are members of the Chinese nation," Xi stated during the talks. He urged working together for national rejuvenation. Cheng leads Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party, which historically favors closer ties with Beijing. His visit comes months after Taiwan's presidential election, which the KMT lost. The meeting is seen as a significant political signal. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunited, by force if necessary. Taiwan's current ruling party strongly rejects this claim. Analysts say Beijing uses talks with the KMT to pressure Taiwan's government. They note such meetings aim to promote unification talks directly with the island's people.