Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized on Wednesday that nothing from outside would prevent China from uniting with Taiwan. He made this statement during a rare meeting with Taiwan's former leader, Ma Ying-jeou, in an effort to ease tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled island.
Ma is currently in China on what he calls a "peace journey" to soothe tensions with Beijing. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never ruled out using force to bring it under its control.
During the meeting in Beijing, Xi welcomed Ma and his delegation, marking a rare encounter between current or former leaders of China and Taiwan. This meeting is the first since a significant summit between the two men in 2015 when Ma was still in office.
Xi emphasized the historical connection between the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, stating that no force could separate them. He also mentioned that despite differences in systems, the objective fact remains that they belong to one nation and one people. Xi asserted that external interference would not hinder the historic cause of reunification.
Ma, in his remarks to Xi, highlighted the importance of young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait for the future of the Chinese nation. He expressed concerns about the potential consequences of war between the two sides and stressed the need for peaceful resolution and opposition to Taiwan independence.
Ma, who served as Taiwan's president from 2008 to 2016 representing the Kuomintang (KMT) party, is known for his efforts to improve cross-strait relations. However, tensions escalated after the election of his successor, Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijing's claims.
Since Tsai's election, China has increased diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan and has refused to rule out the use of force for reunification. The recent election of Tsai's deputy, Lai Ching-te, is expected to further strain cross-strait relations, with Beijing labeling him as a "dangerous separatist."
The visit of Ma to China has raised questions about the stance of the KMT party regarding his trip. A spokesperson for Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party expressed curiosity about the KMT's attitude towards Ma's visit, highlighting the impact it could have on Taiwan.
Despite differing political views, Ma's visit underscores the complexities of cross-strait relations and the efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
