Xi Tells Taiwan Leader Both Sides Are Chinese: Rare Meeting

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Kuomintang (KMT) chair Cheng Li-wun held a rare meeting in Beijing on Friday, marking the first such contact in a decade and signaling a push to stabilize China-Taiwan relations through shared identity and dialogue.

During the meeting, Xi declared that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and desire peace. Cheng responded that Taiwan should no longer serve as a “flashpoint for potential conflict,” instead becoming a “symbol of peace jointly safeguarded by Chinese people.”

Cheng arrived in China on Tuesday, visiting several cities including Nanjing, the former KMT capital before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took power in 1949. She described her tour as a “peace trip” intended to demonstrate the CCP’s sincerity in engaging in peaceful exchanges.

Domestic Controversy Over China-Taiwan Relations

The visit has sparked significant controversy within Taiwan. Critics accuse Cheng of being too close to Beijing, a government that many in Taiwan perceive as a direct threat.

Cheng’s view that identifying as Chinese is “very natural” contrasts with local polling, which suggests two-thirds of the population see themselves as primarily Taiwanese. Consequently, some Chinese internet users have nicknamed her the “goddess of unification.”

Taiwan’s political landscape remains deeply divided. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), led by President Lai Ching-te, is viewed with disdain by Beijing. Cheng has argued that Lai’s strained relationship with China creates higher risks for the island than her own approach.

Defense Spending and Political Deadlock

The diplomatic visit coincides with a legislative quagmire over a proposed $40bn special defense budget pushed by the DPP. Opposition parties, including the KMT, have blocked the funding, citing its size and lack of specificity.

The KMT has countered with a proposal for a $12bn budget focused on specific military items already approved for sale by the United States. Cheng has denied claims from the DPP that the budget was blocked specifically to facilitate her meeting with Xi.

Geopolitical Implications and the U.S. Factor

Analysts suggest Beijing is using the meeting to sow division within Taiwan regarding the Lai administration’s focus on self-defense. Amanda Hsiao of the Eurasia Group noted that growing skepticism of the U.S. in Taiwan may strengthen the KMT’s argument for closer ties with Beijing.

The meeting also serves as a strategic signal to the United States. William Yang of the International Crisis Group stated that Beijing likely wants to show President Donald Trump that its ally in Taiwan is “in lockstep” with China regarding key policies.

Xi previously urged Trump to be “prudent” regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during a February phone call. The two leaders are expected to meet in Beijing next month in a summit that was delayed from April due to the war in Iran.

Despite the diplomatic overtures, some experts maintain that Cheng does not represent the majority view. Drew Thompson, a former U.S. defense official, stated that Taiwanese citizens recognize the source of military threats as emanating from Beijing rather than their own administration.