Wang Huning, who is ranked No. 4 in the ruling Chinese Communist Party's top leadership, met Saturday with a group of 17 Taiwan opposition lawmakers in Beijing, expressing disapproval of separatist activities by advocates of the self-ruled island's independence, according to Taiwanese media.
Wang, who heads China's top political advisory body, called for frequent exchanges across the Taiwan Strait during his talks with the Nationalist Party delegation. Their meeting came ahead of the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing views as a separatist.
The party also known as Kuomintang (KMT) favors dialogue with the mainland. In early April, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition force in Beijing.
"We are all Chinese" and "one family," Wang told the legislators' group, according to the report.
Veteran KMT lawmaker Fu Kun-chi, who heads the delegation, said in the meeting that Taiwan's various industries welcome mainland compatriots to visit the island to learn and develop a deeper appreciation of it. The opposition lawmakers are on a three-day visit to the mainland through Sunday.
Cross-strait relations have deteriorated under the rule of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan since 2016. China has shunned talks with the DPP government and increased military pressure on the island.
Communist-led China views the democratic island as part of its territory. The two sides have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war, with the then-ruling KMT government retreating to Taiwan.
Related coverage:
U.S. urges China to stop aiding Russia, agrees to keep exchanges
Antony Blinken starts China trip to stabilize ties amid tensions
Philippines, U.S. begin military exercise amid concerns over China
