BEIJING, April 10: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 for 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 was not entirely at peace, and peace was 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 readout.
"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 "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".
Meanwhile, Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that China and North Korea should "enhance coordination" on international and regional issues, during talks on Friday, according to Chinese state media.
Wang is on a two-day trip to the diplomatically isolated nuclear state -- his first visit since 2019 -- to step up ties between the East Asian neighbours following their resumption of transport links halted since the Covid-19 pandemic.
China is North Korea's top trading partner and a vital source of diplomatic, economic and political support.
"China and North Korea should, while firmly safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, further enhance communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs," Wang said during a meeting with Kim in Pyongyang on Friday, Xinhua reported.
"China is willing to work with North Korea to... maintain close communication and interaction, promote practical cooperation, and infuse new contemporary meaning into the traditional friendship between China and North Korea," Wang said. �"REUTERS, AFP
