Xi signals Taiwan reunification as opposition leader visits

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing remains confident that Taiwan will ultimately reunite with mainland China, as he welcomed Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun to the capital on Friday. The meeting, the first of its kind in more than ten years, focused on boosting cross-strait dialogue, cooperation, and long-term stability.

Cross-strait dialogue gains momentum

During the talks in Beijing, Xi emphasized shared identity and mutual interests across the Taiwan Strait, stating that both sides seek peace, development, and stronger communication. He described closer ties between mainland China and Taiwan as an “inevitable historical trend,” adding that Beijing remains fully confident in eventual reunification.

Opposition outreach and symbolic visits

Cheng, who leads the Kuomintang (KMT), began her visit with stops in Jiangsu province and Shanghai before arriving in Beijing. In Nanjing, she paid tribute at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, where she called for “reconciliation” and “unity” between the two sides. Her trip signals a renewed effort by the KMT to maintain engagement with Beijing despite ongoing political tensions.

Historical context and political signals

The last meeting between a KMT leader and Xi took place in 2015, when then-chairman Eric Chu held talks in China. Cheng’s election as party leader in October 2025 has opened a new chapter in cross-strait relations, with observers viewing the visit as a step toward reviving institutional dialogue between the KMT and China’s Communist Party.

Regional implications and US factor

The timing of the visit is notable, as Xi is expected to host US President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te marked the anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, highlighting its role in shaping Taiwan-US ties. In a statement, he expressed confidence that cooperation with Washington would continue to support regional security, trade, and technological development.

China continues to regard Taiwan as a breakaway province, while Taipei maintains its longstanding position on sovereignty, a divide that remains central to East Asian geopolitics.