BEIJING, April 10 (Reuters): China will "absolutely not tolerate" independence for Taiwan, which is the chief culprit in undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait, President Xi Jinping told the island's opposition leader on Friday, calling efforts to advance "reunification".
Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is in China on what she has called a peace mission to reduce tensions at a time when Beijing has stepped up military pressure against the island it claims as its territory.
Meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Xi told Cheng that today's world is not entirely at peace, and peace is precious.
"Compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese - people of one family who want peace, development, exchange, and cooperation," he said, in comments carried by Taiwan television stations.
Both sides of the strait belong to "one China", Xi added, according to a separate state media read out.
"When the family is harmonious, all things will prosper," he said. "Taiwan independence is the chief culprit in undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait - we will absolutely not tolerate or condone it."
Xi also mentioned the thorny subject of union between China and Taiwan, which has long been Beijing's goal but which Taiwan's government rejects.
"The KMT and Communist Party must consolidate political mutual trust, maintain positive interaction, unite compatriots on both sides of the strait, and join hands to create a bright future of the motherland's reunification and national rejuvenation," he said.
China refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a "separatist". Lai's administration has called on Cheng to tell China to stop its threats, and says Beijing should engage with the democratically elected government in Taipei.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei on Friday, Hsu Kuo-yung, general secretary Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, criticised the KMT for continuing to stall parliamentary approval for defence spending while Cheng is in China.
"Are you trying to give some kind of grand gift to Xi Jinping?" Hsu said.
Photo from Reuters
