The future’s bright, Xi Jinping tells Taiwanese business chiefs, just don’t think of cutting loose
Island’s corporate community should oppose ideas of independence, and promote peace and stability, Chinese president says
Chinese President Xi Jinping told Taiwanese businessmen on Tuesday that relations between Beijing and Taipei had a bright future despite the recent uncertainty and the island’s increased level of engagement with the United States, but warned them to forget any ideas they might have of independence.
The meeting, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, was the first time Xi had spoken to a Taiwanese delegation – this one led by former vice-president of Taiwan Vincent Siew – since he emerged as China’s most powerful leader for decades at last month’s National People’s Congress.
“Friends in the island’s business community should take a stand and firmly maintain the ‘1992 consensus’, oppose Taiwan independence, and firmly promote peace and the stability of cross-strait relations,” Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
Ties between Beijing and Taipei have been frosty since President Tsai Ing-wen – the leader of the independence-leaning Diplomatic Progressive Party – came to power in 2016 after defeating the Kuomintang, in which Siew is a senior figure.
“The issue of Taiwan is of great concern for the Chinese nation,” Xi said.