China thanked Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen indirectly for her messages of concern regarding the recent floods in Henan, central China, as reported by Reuters.

The public statement was a rare display of goodwill between China and Taiwan.

The flood in the province of Henan was due to unprecedented once-in-a-1,000 years heavy rain, which resulted in at least 33 people dead and eight more who are missing at the moment.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office thanks "relevant parties"

Through her spokesperson, President Tsai "expressed concern and sent her condolences" to the victims, and said she wishes for things to return to normal soon.

Meanwhile, China's Taiwan Affairs Office have issued a public statement, thanking "relevant parties in Taiwan and people from all walks of life who have expressed their concern and condolences to the disaster-stricken area through various forms", as per Reuters.

The office also reportedly thanked Taiwanese companies for pledging aid to bolster disaster relief efforts.

CNA Taiwan reported that Taiwanese electronics manufacturer and Apple supplier, Foxconn have pledged 100 million yuan (S$21 million) to the province of Henan for disaster relief.

Rocky relationship between Taipei and Beijing

China has long viewed Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification with the mainland by force if necessary.

Since Tsai first won the presidential election in 2016, the relationship between Taipei and Beijing have been rocky.

According to Reuters, after Tsai won election in 2016, China cut off a mechanism for formal talks with Taiwan and relations have remained icy.

Tsai reportedly expressed intention for the talks to resume based on "parity and respect", but China have rejected.

The relationship between the two administrations further deteriorated as China continues to conduct military drills near the island and its fighter jets frequently access the Taiwanese Strait, as per the South China Morning Post.

Top image via Ambassador Deng Xi Jun/Twitter & Tsai Ing-wen's Facebook Page