China Taiwan

Taiwan's opposition leader has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first such encounter in over a decade. Both sides affirmed the need for peace around Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Xi and Cheng Li-wun, head of the Kuomingtang Party, expressed a desire for peaceful reunification. China has increased military exercises around Taiwan. Cheng opposes large defense spending increases in Taiwan and has blocked a special defense budget. Both leaders upheld the 1992 Consensus, opposing Taiwan's independence, and aim to prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a conflict flash point.

China has announced it will resume some ties with Taiwan, including direct flights and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products. The decision follows a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader. China's Communist Party said it would explore setting up a communication mechanism with Taiwan’s Kuomingtang Party. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council criticized the move as a "political transaction" that bypasses Taiwan's government. Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since 2016, with Beijing cutting off most official dialogue. China also plans to resume direct flights and work on a bridge connecting the mainland to Taiwanese islands.