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People on Both Sides of the Strait Are Chinese, Xi Tells Taiwan Opposition Leader
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 10, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 10, 2026
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President Xi Jinping told Taiwan KMT chairwoman Cheng Li‑wun in Beijing that “compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese,” emphasizing shared identity and urging peaceful, people‑driven cross‑strait relations.
China will not tolerate independence for Taiwan, Xi tells island's opposition leader
Xi Jinping's Warning and Cross-Strait Relations
Xi Jinping's Statement on Taiwan Independence
BEIJING, April 10 (Reuters) - China will "absolutely not tolerate" independence for Taiwan, which is the chief culprit in undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait, President Xi Jinping told the island's opposition leader on Friday, calling for efforts to advance "reunification".
Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is in China on what she has called a peace mission to reduce tensions at a time when Beijing has stepped up military pressure against the island it claims as its territory.
Meeting Between Xi Jinping and Cheng Li-wun
Meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Xi told Cheng that today's world is not entirely at peace, and peace is precious.
"Compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese - people of one family who want peace, development, exchange, and cooperation," he said, in comments carried by Taiwan television stations.
Both sides of the strait belong to "one China", Xi added, according to a separate state media read out.
"When the family is harmonious, all things will prosper," he said. "Taiwan independence is the chief culprit in undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait - we will absolutely not tolerate or condone it."
Political Trust and Reunification Efforts
Xi also mentioned the thorny subject of union between China and Taiwan, which has long been Beijing's goal but which Taiwan's government rejects.
"The KMT and Communist Party must consolidate political mutual trust, maintain positive interaction, unite compatriots on both sides of the strait, and join hands to create a bright future of the motherland's reunification and national rejuvenation," he said.
Reactions from Taiwan and International Context
Taiwan's Government Response
China refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a "separatist". Lai's administration has called on Cheng to tell China to stop its threats, and says Beijing should engage with the democratically elected government in Taipei.
Historical Background of Cross-Strait Relations
The "Chessboard" Analogy
"CHESSBOARD"
The KMT once ruled all of China until the Republic of China government it led fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who founded the People's Republic of China.
No peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed and to this day neither government formally recognises the other.
Cheng Li-wun's Hopes for Dialogue
Cheng told Xi that mutually beneficial cross-strait relations are what the public on both sides longs for, and that interactions and exchanges should be reciprocal.
"I, Li-wun, sincerely hope that one day in the future, I will have the opportunity to be the host and welcome General Secretary Xi and all of you here present in Taiwan," she added, using Xi's title as head of the communist party.
Cheng said she hoped that through the efforts of both parties, the Taiwan Strait will no longer be a focal point of potential conflict, and will certainly not become a "chessboard for outside forces to intervene in".
Both sides of the strait should further plan and build institutionalised and sustainable mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation, she added.
Role of the United States
The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. Beijing has repeatedly demanded Washington stop arming Taipei. The U.S. has backed the Taiwan government's plans to increase defence spending.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Lincoln Feast.)
Key Takeaways
- •Xi stressed that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are ‘one family’ sharing blood ties and a desire for peace and cooperation, citing ‘Chinese people’ as the common voice of both sides (apnews.com).
- •Cheng, on her peace mission, urged institutionalized, sustainable dialogue to prevent the Taiwan Strait becoming a flashpoint or ‘chessboard for outside forces’ (apnews.com).
- •Her visit—the first by a KMT chair in a decade—comes amid heightened PLA military pressure on Taiwan, U.S. arms support for Taipei, and Beijing’s refusal to engage with President Lai Ching‑te (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about People on both sides of the strait are Chinese, Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader
1What did Xi Jinping discuss with Taiwan's opposition leader?
Xi Jinping emphasized that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and called for peace, development, and cooperation through dialogue.
2Why is Cheng Li-wun visiting Beijing?
Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang, is on a peace mission to reduce cross-strait tensions and promote dialogue between the parties.
3How has the U.S. been involved in Taiwan-China relations?
The U.S. is Taiwan's main international backer and arms supplier, despite lacking formal ties, and has urged increased defense spending for Taiwan.
4What is China's position on talking to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te?
China refuses to engage with President Lai, labeling him a separatist, and prefers to strengthen dialogue with opposition parties like KMT.
5What are the goals of cross-strait dialogue promoted by both sides?
Both sides aim to safeguard peace, create sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, and prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a conflict zone.
