Xi Jinping meets KMT chief, expresses “full confidence” in unity amid Taiwan Strait military tensions

BEIJING, CHINA: China’s President Xi Jinping met Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on 10 April 2026, expressing “full confidence” that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait would eventually be united.

The meeting marked the first such high-level contact between Beijing and Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) leadership in a decade, signalling renewed engagement despite heightened political tensions.

Xi told Cheng during the talks that “the general trend of compatriots on both sides of the Strait getting closer, edging nearer and becoming united will not change”.

“This is an inevitable part of history. We have full confidence in this,” Xi said, according to remarks carried by Taiwanese media.

Cheng, who became KMT chair in 2025, responded by emphasising the need to reduce tensions and prevent conflict across the strait.

She said she hoped the Taiwan Strait would “no longer be a focal point of potential conflict”.

“Both sides should transcend political confrontation and seek a systemic solution to prevent and avoid war, so that the Taiwan Strait can become a model for peaceful conflict resolution in the world,” she said.

Controversial visit draws criticism in Taiwan

Cheng’s visit to China, her first as party leader, has sparked significant political debate in Taiwan.

Critics have accused her of adopting a stance that is too closely aligned with Beijing, particularly given China’s increasing military pressure on the island.

Cheng has previously described identifying as Chinese as “a very natural thing”, a position that contrasts with prevailing public opinion in Taiwan.

Polling indicates that around two-thirds of the population primarily identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese.

Her remarks in Beijing reinforced her long-standing emphasis on shared cultural and historical ties across the strait.

During the meeting, she said Taiwan should become “a symbol of peace jointly safeguarded by Chinese people on both sides of the strait”.

The visit is also symbolically significant, as Cheng travelled through several Chinese cities, including Nanjing, before arriving in Beijing.

Nanjing holds historical importance as a former capital under Kuomintang rule before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took power in 1949.

Historical tensions shape current relations

Cross-strait relations have remained strained for decades following the Chinese civil war, when the KMT retreated to Taiwan after its defeat by the CCP.

China has since claimed Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having governed the island.

High-level communication between Beijing and Taipei was largely severed in 2016 after Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) became Taiwan’s president.

Tsai rejected Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China, prompting a freeze in official engagement.

Tensions have intensified further under Tsai’s successor, Lai Ching-te, who was elected president in 2024.

Beijing considers Lai a separatist figure and has maintained a hostile stance towards his administration.

Chinese state media has portrayed Lai in highly critical terms, reflecting deep political divisions.

Military pressure and security concerns escalate

The meeting comes amid increased military activity by China around Taiwan.

Chinese forces have conducted near-daily deployments of fighter jets and warships in the vicinity of the island.

Large-scale military exercises have also taken place, with some manoeuvres appearing to simulate blockade scenarios.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence, seven sorties of PLA aircraft, seven PLAN vessels, and one official ship were detected operating around Taiwan as of 6 a.m. on 10 April.

All seven aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and south-western Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Xi has framed the goal of “reunifying” China and Taiwan as a central element of his political legacy and has not ruled out the use of force.

Taiwan’s government has expressed concern that such actions are undermining regional stability.

In a statement posted on social media on 10 April, President Lai said China’s military threats “have severely undermined regional peace and stability”.

Taiwanese officials have also raised concerns about the implications of Cheng’s visit.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Chen Ming-chi stated that Cheng should convey mainstream public opinion in Taiwan to Beijing.

He outlined three key positions: that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other, that Taiwan’s future must be decided democratically, and that China should cease military harassment.

Political divisions over defence policy

The visit has coincided with domestic political disagreements in Taiwan over defence spending.

The KMT has opposed a proposed US$40 billion special defence budget put forward by Lai’s administration.

The plan is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s air defence capabilities in response to potential threats from China.

Cheng has denied allegations that her party blocked the proposal to align with Beijing ahead of the meeting.

Instead, the KMT has advocated a smaller US$12 billion defence package focused on specific military purchases approved by the United States.

Public opinion remains resistant to unification

Despite Beijing’s efforts to promote closer ties, public support in Taiwan for political unification remains low.

Polling by the Election Study Center at National Chengchi University indicates that fewer than 10 per cent of the population favour unification with China.

This gap between official Chinese messaging and public sentiment in Taiwan continues to shape cross-strait dynamics.

Cheng’s approach, which highlights shared identity and dialogue, has therefore proven divisive within Taiwan’s political landscape.

Her critics argue that engagement with Beijing risks legitimising its claims over Taiwan.

Supporters, however, contend that communication is necessary to reduce tensions and avoid conflict.

Broader geopolitical implications emerge

The meeting is also unfolding within a wider geopolitical context.

Xi is expected to hold a summit with United States President Donald Trump in May, placing additional international focus on cross-strait relations.

Analysts suggest that engagement with Taiwan’s opposition may allow Beijing to signal that parts of Taiwanese society remain open to closer ties.

Such messaging could play a role in China’s broader diplomatic strategy as it navigates tensions with both Taiwan and the United States.