Indo-Pacific — 2026-04-12

China Unveils Taiwan Goodwill Measures After Xi Meets Opposition Leader in Landmark Visit

China announced policy measures to expand cross-strait ties on April 12 following Xi Jinping's meeting with KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun in Beijing, the first encounter between Xi and a sitting Taiwanese opposition leader in nearly a decade. The steps include facilitating Taiwanese agricultural and fishery product sales on the mainland and resuming outbound travel to the island. Xi called for broader economic, trade, and cultural exchanges and deepening political mutual trust. The visit occurred during Cheng Li-wun's April 7-12 trip and comes as Taiwan faces legislative deadlock over military procurement, with the KMT and TPP blocking weapons acquisition bills.

Analysis
The goodwill measures announced after Xi's meeting represent Beijing's most substantive cross-strait economic opening since tensions peaked in 2022. The timing exploits US distraction with Iran; Taiwan cannot rely on the same level of American diplomatic support for counter-messaging. The concurrent KMT/TPP blockage of military procurement bills creates a dangerous gap between China's diplomatic advance and Taiwan's defense readiness.

1 sources

China Unveils Taiwan Goodwill Steps After Rare Opposition Talks - Bloomberg