Xi Warns Against Taiwan Independence in Rare Meeting with Opposition Leader

Beijing — Xi Jinping said China would “absolutely not tolerate” independence for Taiwan during talks with opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Friday, urging closer cooperation to advance reunification amid rising cross-strait tensions.

The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, comes as Beijing increases military and political pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as its territory. Cheng is visiting China on what she described as a “peace mission” aimed at reducing tensions.

Xi reiterated Beijing’s long-standing “One China” position, stating that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one nation and calling Taiwan independence the “chief culprit” undermining regional stability.

He urged collaboration between China’s Communist Party and Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to promote national reunification.Cheng said she hoped to foster mutually beneficial relations and expand exchanges, adding that dialogue could help prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a flashpoint for international conflict.

Taiwan’s government rejected Beijing’s stance, with top policymaker Chiu Chui-cheng saying only Taiwan’s people could determine the island’s future and calling on China to engage with its democratically elected leadership.

Beijing has refused to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist. The current divide traces back to 1949, when rival governments split after China’s civil war, with each side maintaining separate political systems.