Xi warns against Taiwan independence amid rising cross-strait tensions

TAIPEI: Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that Beijing will “absolutely not tolerate” Taiwan’s independence, as he met a senior opposition leader from the island amid escalating cross-strait tensions.

According to Reuters, Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Cheng is visiting China on what she described as a “peace mission” aimed at easing tensions, as Beijing increases military pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.

During the meeting, Xi said people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of “one family” and called for greater cooperation and exchanges, while reiterating that Taiwan independence remains the “chief culprit” undermining regional peace. He also urged closer coordination between the Kuomintang and China’s ruling party to advance “reunification”.

China has refused to engage with Lai Ching-te, labelling him a “separatist”, while Taipei has called on Beijing to engage with its democratically elected government.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party criticised the opposition’s outreach to China. Senior party figure Hsu Kuo-yung accused the Kuomintang of undermining defence preparedness by delaying key military spending approvals.

Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo warned that China is steadily expanding its military capabilities, describing the threat as “increasingly severe”.

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Security officials said nearly 100 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were deployed in surrounding waters this week — far above the usual 50 to 60 ships — calling the surge “very rare”.

Taiwan views the developments as particularly sensitive amid domestic political disputes and shifting global focus towards conflicts in the Middle East.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s claims, maintaining that only its people can decide their future.

Despite Beijing’s calls for peaceful engagement, Taiwanese officials say Chinese warships and aircraft continue near-daily operations around the island, while recent restricted airspace declarations off China’s eastern coast have raised concerns over possible military drills.

The United States, Taiwan’s key ally and arms supplier, has supported Taipei’s efforts to boost defence spending, while China has repeatedly urged Washington to halt military assistance to the island.