Xi jinping declares taiwan’s people ‘chinese,’ pushes for ‘symbol of peace’ amidst growing tensions

In a surprising and potentially destabilizing move, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has declared that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a common identity as ‘Chinese’ and aspire to peace. The meeting, the first in a decade, with Taiwan’s opposition leader Cheng Li-wun, marks a significant shift in Beijing’s approach to the island.

A risky gambit: beijing seeks to redefine cross-strait relations

The summit, held in Beijing on Friday, followed a tour where Cheng Li-wun visited Nanjing, a former capital under KMT rule before the Communist Party’s ascendancy in 1949. This visit arrives amidst escalating military pressure from China around Taiwan, as Xi Jinping pursues what he frames as a crucial component of his legacy – the reunification of the island. The KMT chairwoman’s stance, advocating for Taiwan to cease being a ‘flashpoint’ and instead function as a ‘jointly safeguarded symbol of peace,’ is increasingly at odds with the prevailing sentiment in Taiwan, where two-thirds of the population identifies primarily as Taiwanese.

Divisions run deep: cheng’s position fuels taiwanese discontent

Cheng’s past statements, asserting a ‘very natural thing’ about identifying as Chinese, have sparked considerable controversy. Critics in Taiwan accuse her of excessive alignment with Beijing, a perception exacerbated by the DPP’s consistent electoral victories – three consecutive wins for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) since 2016, notably including Lai Ching-te’s presidency in 2024. Lai’s strained relationship with Beijing, frequently portrayed by Chinese state media as a parasitic threat to Taiwan’s security, further fuels the divide.

Us influence and strategic implications

Beijing’s hosting of Cheng Li-wun is strategically layered. Analysts suggest the move is an attempt to sow doubt within Taiwan regarding the Lai administration’s commitment to self-defense, simultaneously bolstering arguments for closer ties with Beijing. The ongoing debate over a $40 billion special defence budget, fiercely opposed by the KMT and blocked by opposition parties, is central to this strategy. The KMT’s proposed alternative, a $12 billion budget focused on specifically approved US military equipment, highlights the complex interplay between Washington and Beijing in the region.

Trump’s shadow: leveraging us policy

The meeting’s timing coincides with China’s intensified military activity around Taiwan, including simulated blockade exercises. Xi Jinping reportedly communicated his desire for a “prudent” approach to US arms sales to President Trump during a February phone call. Beijing hopes to leverage this interaction to influence Trump’s stance, particularly given the ongoing debate over supplying Taiwan with defensive weaponry.

A divergent view: taiwan’s reality vs. beijing’s narrative

However, Drew Thompson, a S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies expert, contends that Cheng’s position doesn’t reflect the majority view in Taiwan. “Taiwanese people are clear that the source of military threats is not emanating from the DPP or President Lai,” Thompson stated. “It’s emanating from Beijing.”