The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, comes as Beijing increases military and political pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as its territory. Cheng is visiting China on what she described as a “peace mission” aimed at reducing tensions.

Xi reiterated Beijing’s long-standing “One China” position, stating that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one nation and calling Taiwan independence the “chief culprit” undermining regional stability.

He urged collaboration between China’s Communist Party and Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to promote national reunification.Cheng said she hoped to foster mutually beneficial relations and expand exchanges, adding that dialogue could help prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a flashpoint for international conflict.

Taiwan’s government rejected Beijing’s stance, with top policymaker Chiu Chui-cheng saying only Taiwan’s people could determine the island’s future and calling on China to engage with its democratically elected leadership.

Beijing has refused to hold talks with President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist. The current divide traces back to 1949, when rival governments split after China’s civil war, with each side maintaining separate political systems.

Cheng, chair of the Kuomintang (KMT), is scheduled to visit China from April 7 to 12 and may meet Xi Jinping, though Beijing has not confirmed such talks. Speaking before departure in Taipei, she said the trip aimed to reduce tensions and prevent conflict, calling it a “historic journey for peace.

”The visit comes amid heightened military pressure from China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Beijing has also refused formal engagement with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist.

Taiwanese officials said Chinese naval activity around the island remains elevated. Kuan Bi-ling reported multiple warships positioned off Taiwan’s coasts, including deployments to the east, north, northwest and southwest, underscoring what authorities described as sustained military pressure.

Separately, Chiu Chui-cheng urged Beijing to engage with Taiwan’s elected government and called on Cheng to press Chinese authorities to halt military activities, including air and naval operations near the island.

The trip takes place ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing, where Taiwan is expected to feature among key issues alongside trade.Cheng’s itinerary includes stops in Shanghai and Nanjing, where she is expected to visit the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China.

The visit marks the first by a KMT leader to China in a decade, reflecting renewed political outreach despite ongoing cross-strait tensions.

Cheng, chair of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), is expected to travel from April 7 to 12, visiting cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu, according to party officials.

Outreach contrasts with ruling party stanceThe visit highlights a divergence between the KMT and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, led by President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has refused to engage and labels a “separatist.”

China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has increased political and military pressure on the island, while continuing to engage with opposition figures seen as more open to dialogue.

Cheng has said improving ties with Beijing does not equate to weakening relations with Washington, stressing the need for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Timing ahead of Trump visitThe trip comes weeks before Trump is expected to travel to China for talks with Xi, placing Taiwan at the center of broader U.S.-China strategic discussions.

Separately, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is also planning visits to Taiwan and the region ahead of the summit, reflecting Washington’s continued engagement despite tensions with Beijing.

Speaking at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Taipei, Cheng said her party’s long-standing ties with the United States would remain intact even as it seeks closer engagement with mainland China. “There is no contradiction between the two, and there is no need to choose one over the other,” she said, rejecting criticism that outreach to Beijing would weaken relations with Washington.

Cheng, a former lawmaker who became KMT chair in October, has signalled a stronger push for engagement with Beijing compared to her predecessor Eric Chu, who did not visit China during his tenure starting in 2021. She has expressed interest in meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, though she did not provide details on any potential timeline.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has refused to engage with the government of President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a separatist. However, Beijing has maintained contacts with senior KMT figures, underscoring the party’s role as an alternative channel for cross-strait communication.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has criticised the KMT’s approach, accusing it of undermining Taiwan’s democracy and aligning too closely with Beijing. Cheng rejected those claims, saying her party supports arms purchases from the United States, though she emphasised that such spending must be carefully evaluated.

The KMT, alongside the smaller Taiwan People’s Party, holds a parliamentary majority, allowing it to influence defence budgets and legislative priorities, including measures related to security cooperation with Washington.

Taiwan’s political parties are preparing for mayoral and county chief elections in November, seen as a key indicator of public sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Analysts say cross-strait policy and defence spending are likely to remain central campaign issues.

China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, keeping geopolitical risks elevated in the region.

The drills, which included naval, air, and rocket components, were framed by Chinese officials as routine defensive activities designed to safeguard national sovereignty and deter miscalculation rather than provoke conflict.

Military analysts noted that the exercises showcased organizational coordination and technological advancement, reflecting China’s broader efforts to modernize its armed forces and improve operational readiness.

Despite the scale of the maneuvers, commercial shipping lanes and most international air traffic continued to operate, underscoring the authorities’ intent to avoid major disruption to global trade flows.

Taiwan sits at the heart of some of the world’s busiest trade and aviation routes, making stability in the surrounding waters a matter of international economic significance.

Chinese officials reiterated that their actions were directed at maintaining strategic equilibrium and discouraging external interference, while leaving room for peaceful engagement and dialogue.

The drills also highlighted advances in amphibious, naval, and aerospace capabilities, which Beijing views as essential to ensuring deterrence and preventing escalation through strength and preparedness.

Observers pointed out that military transparency, including the announcement of exercise zones and timelines, helped limit uncertainty for neighboring states and commercial operators.

Taiwanese authorities monitored the situation closely and maintained routine defensive postures, while also stating that they did not seek confrontation and preferred calm management of cross-strait relations.

Regional governments and international stakeholders continued to call for restraint, stressing that communication channels and confidence-building measures remain essential to preventing misunderstandings.

China has repeatedly stated that peaceful development and regional cooperation remain central to its long-term vision, even as it strengthens its defensive capabilities.

The exercises came amid heightened geopolitical attention on East Asia, where economic interdependence has made stability a shared priority for governments and businesses alike.

Experts note that large-scale drills are increasingly used worldwide as signaling tools, aimed at reinforcing deterrence while stopping short of actual conflict.

China’s leadership has emphasized that sustained peace in the Taiwan Strait benefits not only the region but also the global economy, given the volume of trade that passes through nearby waters each year.

The continued flow of maritime traffic during the drills served as a reminder of the region’s resilience and the shared interest in avoiding disruption.

Diplomatic analysts suggest that parallel diplomatic engagement alongside military preparedness remains the most effective way to manage sensitive issues in the Indo-Pacific.

While the exercises attracted global attention, they also reinforced calls for dialogue, crisis management mechanisms, and mutual respect for regional security concerns.

Both sides of the strait have expressed interest in avoiding escalation, reflecting awareness of the economic and human costs that instability would bring.

As regional dynamics evolve, many observers believe that balanced deterrence combined with sustained diplomacy will remain key to preserving peace.

The latest developments underscore the importance of strategic communication and measured actions in maintaining confidence across one of the world’s most closely watched regions.

The drills, conducted under the banner of a major operational mission, involved coordinated deployments of naval vessels, aircraft, artillery units, and support forces across multiple maritime zones.

Officials described the exercises as a demonstration of operational integration, rapid response capacity, and the ability to manage complex scenarios in surrounding waters.

By expanding the geographic scope of the drills, China aimed to test command efficiency, logistics coordination, and real-time decision-making across air and sea domains.

The exercises were also framed as a signal of China’s resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity while maintaining overall regional balance.

Military analysts noted that the drills reflect evolving defence planning, with an emphasis on mobility, precision, and multi-domain coordination.

Live-fire components and simulated strike scenarios were designed to assess readiness under realistic operational conditions.

China’s maritime authorities issued navigational notices to ensure safety during the exercises, highlighting the structured and planned nature of the activity.

The drills temporarily affected some civilian transport routes, prompting adjustments by airlines and shipping operators as a precautionary measure.

Authorities said such coordination demonstrated the ability to balance national security activities with civilian and commercial considerations.

From Beijing’s perspective, the exercises reinforce a long-standing policy of deterrence through preparedness rather than confrontation.

Officials reiterated that China remains committed to peaceful development while ensuring that its defence forces are fully capable of responding to external challenges.

The drills followed recent international developments, including increased military cooperation between Taiwan and external partners.

Chinese defence commentators said the exercises were intended to convey a clear message against external interference in regional affairs.

Advanced technologies were also showcased, including unmanned systems and automated platforms, reflecting China’s investment in modern defence innovation.

These systems were presented as part of a broader push toward intelligent and technology-driven military capabilities.

The integration of emerging technologies demonstrated China’s focus on future-oriented defence planning.

Taiwan’s authorities responded by activating monitoring mechanisms and readiness protocols, reflecting standard regional military awareness practices.

Despite heightened activity, financial markets and core economic indicators in the region remained stable, suggesting limited immediate economic impact.

Regional observers noted that such drills have become a familiar feature of the security landscape in East Asia.

Analysts emphasized that visibility and scale are increasingly used by major powers to communicate strategic intent without escalating conflict.

China’s defence officials stressed that the exercises were conducted in accordance with national law and international norms.

They also highlighted the importance of maintaining clear communication channels to avoid misunderstandings during periods of increased military activity.

The drills included coordinated naval manoeuvres near key maritime routes, reinforcing China’s focus on maritime security.

Port security and coastal defence scenarios formed a central part of the operational planning.

State media described the exercises as a comprehensive test of joint operational capabilities across services.

The participation of multiple branches underscored progress in joint command structures and interoperability.

Experts said such drills contribute to long-term stability by clarifying capabilities and reducing uncertainty.

China reiterated its position that dialogue remains the preferred path for resolving cross-strait issues.

At the same time, officials maintained that strong defence readiness is essential for safeguarding national interests.

As the exercises continue, regional governments are closely monitoring developments while urging restraint and communication.

Overall, the drills reflect China’s strategic emphasis on preparedness, modernization, and deterrence within a complex regional environment.

The development drew global attention as both major powers emphasized the importance of avoiding conflict and maintaining regional balance.

China highlighted that safeguarding territorial integrity remains a central priority, particularly regarding Taiwan, which Beijing considers a key element of its national interests.

Officials stressed that external actors should act with prudence and avoid actions that may raise tensions or destabilize long-established diplomatic frameworks.

At the same time, China expressed willingness to work constructively with Washington to promote stable, predictable ties.

This message reflected a broader desire to manage differences responsibly while pursuing cooperation on issues of shared significance.

The U.S. security strategy outlined plans to strengthen alliances and build deterrence mechanisms across the Indo-Pacific.

It underscored the importance of maintaining peace in one of the world’s most strategic and economically vital regions.

China reiterated its long-held stance that Taiwan represents its core red line in relations with the United States.

Officials urged caution, noting that miscalculations could disrupt diplomatic progress and affect regional confidence.

Despite the firm language, China emphasized that communication channels with the United States remain open and active.

Both sides have continued working-level dialogues aimed at reducing misunderstandings and advancing stability.

The release of the U.S. strategy coincided with China’s increased maritime activity across East Asian waters.

Observers noted that such movements, while assertive, were accompanied by statements promoting de-escalation and responsible management of maritime issues.

Taiwan responded positively to the U.S. document, highlighting its focus on preventing conflict and preserving peace.

Leaders in Taipei expressed appreciation for efforts that promote cooperation among Indo-Pacific partners.

Officials in Taiwan reiterated that safeguarding peace and strengthening defensive readiness remain essential components of their policy.

They emphasized the need for regional cooperation to ensure long-term stability and economic prosperity.

Taiwanese defence leaders noted that the United States continues to prioritize the Indo-Pacific as a central strategic region.

They welcomed collaborative efforts that encourage unity among regional nations in maintaining a peaceful environment.

Analysts believe the current moment presents an important opportunity for diplomacy to shape the future of China-U.S. relations.

Both sides have repeatedly acknowledged the importance of preventing confrontation and supporting global economic stability.

China’s call for balanced engagement and the United States’ emphasis on deterrence highlight the complexity of the geopolitical landscape.

Yet both countries recognize that cooperation in areas such as trade, climate policy, and global governance remains essential.

Regional observers argue that sustained dialogue can help transform tensions into constructive negotiation.

They also point out that transparent communication reduces the risk of miscalculation in sensitive areas like the Taiwan Strait.

Efforts by China, the United States, and regional partners to maintain open channels are seen as positive steps forward.

Such measures contribute to building confidence, addressing shared challenges, and reinforcing the foundations of long-term peace.

As global attention intensifies around developments in the Indo-Pacific, diplomatic engagement remains more important than ever.

The latest statements from Beijing and Taipei reflect a shared desire for stability despite the competitive backdrop.

The coming months will test the ability of major powers to balance national interests with international responsibility.

However, the reaffirmed willingness to maintain dialogue suggests that peace and cooperation remain achievable goals.