Beijing ‘will not tolerate’ Taiwan independence under any circumstances

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Chinese President Xi Jinping with Cheng Li-won, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang.

In a meeting with Cheng Li-won, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang, on Friday (April 10), he made it clear that Beijing would “not tolerate” Taiwan’s independence under any circumstances. 

Cheng Li-won is currently on a ‘peace mission’ to China, aiming to de-escalate tensions in the face of China’s growing military pressure on Taiwan. The meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing discussed the current situation of the Straits in detail between the two leaders. 

In the meeting, Xi Jinping referred to the current world’s turbulent situation and referred to peace as ‘precious’. In his speech broadcast on Taiwan’s television channels, Xi said, “Compatriots on both sides of the Straits are basically Chinese—we are people of one family who seek peace, development, exchange and cooperation.” When there is harmony in a family, everything improves.’

He reiterated that both sides of the strait belong to the ‘same China’. But he also warned that Taiwan’s independence is the main obstacle to this reconciliation and China will never tolerate it. 

It should be noted that the Chinese government has been considering Taiwan’s current president Lai Ching-te as a “separatist” for a long time and has refused any kind of talks with his administration. 

The Lai administration, on the other hand, called on Cheng Li-won to tell Beijing to end its threats and encourage dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government. Cheng Li-won is known as a pro-China leader who has long advocated closer Taiwan relations with China. 

There is a historical dispute between China and Taiwan. In 1949, the Kuomintang government fled to Taiwan after being defeated in a civil war by Mao Tse Tung’s communists. Since then, no formal peace treaty or ceasefire has been signed between the two countries. Both sides do not even officially recognize each other. 

Meanwhile, the United States is the island’s biggest international supporter and arms supplier, although it does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. While Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington end arms sales to Taiwan, the United States continues to support Taiwan’s plan to increase its defense budget. 

According to political analysts, Xi Jinping’s tough message and the meeting with Taiwan’s opposition parties are a strategic move by Beijing to expand its influence in Taiwan’s domestic politics.