Xi congratulates new Taiwan opposition leader, urges parties to advance reunification

China's President Xi Jinping has reiterated the goal of reunification in a congratulatory message to newly-elected chairperson of Taiwan's Kuomingtang (KMT) party Cheng Li-wun.

Cheng, 55, won the election for the top position of the KMT on Oct. 18 with 50.15 per cent of the votes, according to Focus Taiwan.

A former member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), she beat five other candidates in the election and will take office on Nov. 1.

Reunification message

Xi's message, as published by China state media Xinhua on Oct. 19, called on the KMT and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to "strengthen their common political foundation".

He further urged the parties to "advance national reunification" and "firmly safeguard the shared home of the Chinese nation", including opposing Taiwan independence.

Cheng responded by calling people across the Taiwan Strait "members of the Chinese nation", though referring to ethnicity instead of nationality, as quoted by Reuters.

She said both parties should "strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation on the existing foundation (and) promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait", but stopped short of mentioning any union with Beijing.

Close relations with China

As opposed to the current Taiwanese government, whose leader William Lai strongly objects to China's claim over the territory, the KMT traditionally backs close relations with China.

The party is also Beijing's preferred dialogue partner, according to Reuters.

Cheng is said to oppose Taiwan's increasing defence spending led by Lai.

She previously called on the DPP to "stop playing the anti-China card" to manipulate elections and wage internal political battles, Focus Taiwan reported.

"We should show the greatest sincerity and goodwill together to ease cross-strait confrontation and differences and ensure there is no more war across the Taiwan Strait. I believe this is a shared responsibility of all political parties in Taiwan."

However, her election was marred by accusations of the KMT being controlled by Beijing and of being "red-leaning", which she firmly denied.

Top images via Xinhua &amp CNA