Taiwan opposition leader calls for ‘reconciliation’ after meeting Xi
Al Jazeera • • nation
Key Points:
- Opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both expressed opposition to Taiwan independence and a desire for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait tensions.
- Cheng, a Kuomintang (KMT) member, emphasized transcending political confrontation and hostility, aligning with Chinese Communist Party talking points and advocating for reduced military buildup in Taiwan.
- Xi highlighted shared history and culture between Taiwan and China, calling for peace and cooperation, while both leaders opposed foreign interference, implicitly referencing the US.
- Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized the KMT for delaying approval of a $40 billion defense budget aimed at countering Chinese military threats, warning against compromising sovereignty for peace.
- The meeting underscored ongoing political divisions in Taiwan, with rising Taiwanese identity and nationalism contrasting with the KMT’s engagement approach and Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.
