Xi Jinping, the president of China, told the leader of the 'island,' that China would "absolutely" not tolerate independence for Taiwan. Taiwan is the 'chief offender in undermining the peace in the strait.

Cheng Li-wun is the chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party Kuomintang, a mission she calls a peace initiative to ease tensions in a period when Beijing has increased military pressure on the island that it claims as territory.

Xi, who met Cheng in the Great Hall of the People to discuss the world's current state of peace, told him that peace is precious.

In comments broadcast by Taiwan TV stations, he stated that "compatriots from both sides of the Strait are all Chinese, people who want peace, exchange, cooperation, and development."

According to a separate readout by state media, Xi added that both sides of the strait are part of "one China".

He said that when the family is harmonious everything will prosper. "Taiwan Independence is the main culprit in undermining the peace?in the Taiwan Strait. We will not tolerate or condone this."

China says that it will not talk to Taiwan's President Lai Ching Te, calling him a "separatist". Cheng has been asked by Lai's government to tell China that it should stop making threats and engage the democratically-elected government in Taipei.

"CHESSBOARD"

After losing a civil conflict with Mao Zedong's Communists who founded the People's Republic of China, the KMT ruled China for a time.

Both governments do not recognize each other formally and no peace treaty has been signed.

Cheng said that the public of both sides aspires to mutually beneficial relations across the strait, and that exchanges and interactions?should be reciprocal.

She added: "I, Liwun, sincerely wish that I would have the opportunity one day to welcome General Secretary Xi, and all of you present here in Taiwan." Using Xi as the head of the Communist party, she used the title of Xi.

Cheng said she hoped, through the efforts of the two parties, that the Taiwan Strait would?no long be a focal-point of potential conflict and won't become a chessboard where outside forces can intervene.

She added that both sides of the strait should plan and develop institutionalised and sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation and exchange.

The U.S. is Taiwan's largest international supporter and arms provider, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations. Beijing has repeatedly asked Washington to stop arming Taipei. The U.S. is supporting Taiwan's government in its plans to increase defense spending. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Writing and editing by Ben Blanchard, Himani Sarkar, and Lincoln Feast.

(source: Reuters)