China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan after visit by opposition leader

Following a visit by Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun, China announced it will resume some ties with Taiwan that were previously suspended. These include direct flights and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products. The announcement came after a meeting between Cheng and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they discussed peace. China's Taiwan Work Office stated it would explore a communication mechanism between the Communist Party and the KMT. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council criticized the move, calling it a "political transaction" that bypasses the Taiwanese government. Relations between China and Taiwan have been strained since 2016, with China increasing military activity near the island.

Following Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's visit to mainland China, Beijing pledged to improve air and travel links with Taiwan. The 10-point measures, announced on Sunday, include easing travel restrictions for individuals visiting the island. Cheng's trip, which began on Tuesday, featured a meeting with President Xi Jinping, the first such meeting between leaders of the Communist Party and KMT in nine years. Xi promised improved communication and exchanges with Taiwan, aiming to allow Taiwanese residents to benefit from mainland economic development. Both leaders emphasized the importance of cross-strait peace amid rising tensions since the Democratic Progressive Party came to power in Taiwan.

In a rare meeting in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and desire peace. This marks the first meeting between a Chinese president and a Taiwanese opposition leader in a decade. Cheng's visit has drawn criticism in Taiwan due to her perceived pro-China stance, particularly as China increases military pressure around the island. Cheng stated that Taiwan should become a symbol of peace safeguarded by Chinese people on both sides. The KMT, which fled to Taiwan after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949, hopes to invite Xi to visit Taiwan if they regain power in the 2028 elections. Xi views reunification with Taiwan as a key part of his legacy, while Taiwan's current ruling party, the DPP, favors sovereignty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing on Friday, marking the first such meeting in nearly a decade. Xi reiterated China's claim that Taiwan is an "inalienable" part of Chinese territory, while Cheng echoed some of Xi's phrasing. The meeting occurs amidst rising tensions, as Taiwan's opposition coalition blocks President Lai Ching-te's proposed $40 billion defense budget. President Lai warned against compromising Taiwan's sovereignty with an authoritarian regime. The meeting and defense budget dispute raise concerns about Taiwan's ability to invest in its defense and the potential impact on future arms sales. China refuses to speak to the democratically elected government of Taiwan, led by President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun held a press conference in Beijing on Friday after meeting with Chinese Communist Party chief Xi Jinping. This marks the first meeting between the leaders of Taiwan's KMT and the Communist Party in nine years. Cheng emphasized the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait amid rising military tensions. She expressed hope that no political party in Taiwan would exploit cross-strait peace for political gain, referencing criticism from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party regarding her visit to mainland China. The meeting and press conference highlight the KMT's focus on peaceful relations with mainland China.

Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT), met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 10, 2026. Both leaders expressed opposition to Taiwan independence and a desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute over Taiwan's future. Cheng emphasized shared cultural heritage and suggested slowing Taiwan's military buildup, advocating for greater engagement with China. Xi highlighted the shared history and culture between Taiwan and China. Cheng's visit marks the highest-level meeting between Taiwanese and Chinese leaders since 2015, signaling a potential shift towards reconciliation. The KMT, Taiwan's largest opposition party, generally favors closer ties with mainland China.

Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, marking the first visit by a sitting KMT leader in a decade. The meeting aimed to promote cross-strait peace and stability amid strained relations, as Beijing cut off high-level communications with Taiwan in 2016. Xi emphasized that both sides are Chinese and desire peace, while Cheng stated that opposing Taiwan independence and maintaining the 1992 Consensus would help avoid war. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized Cheng's visit, accusing her of being subservient to Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. The KMT traditionally maintains warmer ties with China, though Cheng's visit is seen as more eager than her predecessors.

Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first meeting between a KMT chairperson and the Communist Party leadership since 2016. Cheng's six-day trip, which began in Shanghai, is described as a "journey of peace," with repeated emphasis on cross-strait peace during her visits to Shanghai and Nanjing. The meeting occurs amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with frequent military maneuvers by the People's Liberation Army. China views Taiwan as part of China and prefers peaceful reunification, though it hasn't ruled out force. While most countries, including the US, do not recognize Taiwan as independent, the US opposes forceful reunification and supplies Taiwan with weapons.

Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), stated that Japanese "imperialist forces" divided mainland China and Taiwan. Cheng made the remarks during a visit to Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum in Nanjing on Wednesday. She attributed Taiwan's separation to China's defeat in the first Sino-Japanese war in 1895, which led to Taiwan becoming a Japanese colony. Cheng highlighted the hopes of Taiwanese intellectuals after the 1911 revolution for China to reclaim Taiwan. She also stated that internal conflicts contributed to China's suffering, and that cross-strait divisions are rooted in the historical wound created by the Sino-Japanese war.

Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan's opposition leader, is visiting China, marking the first such trip by a KMT leader in a decade. The visit, which began in Nanjing, is intended to foster dialogue and reconciliation between Taiwan and China amid rising cross-strait tensions. Cheng invoked the legacy of revolutionary figure Sun Yat-sen, emphasizing unity and equality. She hopes to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during her visit. Cheng's trip occurs at a time when China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and refuses to engage with Taiwan's current president. The visit also comes amid concerns in Taiwan about potential conflicts and the role of the United States.

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun is visiting China this week, culminating in a meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The trip, which began in Shanghai on Tuesday, is a crucial test for the KMT's future electoral prospects. Cheng aims to demonstrate that Taiwan and China can avoid war and military conflict. Her itinerary includes visiting Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum in Nanjing before heading to Beijing. This meeting occurs amidst a shift in Taiwan's political landscape, with rising Taiwanese nationalism and a decline in the KMT's political power. Analysts suggest the outcome of this diplomatic engagement could significantly impact the KMT's standing.

Kuomintang (KMT) chairperson Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan's main opposition leader, has arrived in China for a six-day visit, expected to include a meeting with President Xi Jinping. Cheng's visit, the first by a KMT chief in a decade, aims to serve as a "bridge for peace" amid strained cross-strait relations. Beijing cut off communications with Taiwan after Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) became president in 2016. The DPP criticized Cheng's visit as "subservient" to Beijing, accusing China of disrupting regional peace through military actions. Analysts suggest Cheng sees this as an opportunity to present herself as a leader capable of maintaining cross-strait exchange and potentially reducing cross-strait tension.

Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan's opposition leader, began a six-day visit to mainland China on Tuesday, leading a 14-member delegation to Shanghai. Cheng characterized the trip as a "journey of peace," aiming to foster dialogue and communication to de-escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The visit has drawn scrutiny in Taipei, particularly a planned meeting with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. Lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party have expressed concerns about the KMT's engagement with Beijing and called for greater oversight. Cheng stated that "preserving peace is preserving Taiwan" as the reason for the visit.