Cheng, chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is in China on what she has called a peace mission to reduce tensions at a time when Beijing has stepped up military pressure against the island it claims as its territory.

Meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Xi told Cheng that today’s world is not entirely at peace, and peace is precious.

“Compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese – people of one family who want peace, development, exchange, and cooperation,” he said, in comments carried by Taiwan television stations.

“This is the common voice of our people. The leaders of our two parties are meeting today in order to safeguard the peace and stability of our shared homeland, to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and to allow future generations to share in a bright and beautiful future.”

Xi said China was willing, on the common political foundation of opposing Taiwan independence, to strengthen exchange and dialogue together with various political parties, including the KMT, “to firmly hold the future of cross-strait relations in the hands of the Chinese people themselves”.

Cheng told Xi that she hoped that through the efforts of both parties, the Taiwan Strait will no longer be a focal point of potential conflict, and will certainly not become a “chessboard for outside forces to intervene in”.

Both sides of the strait should further plan and build institutionalised and sustainable mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation, she added.

The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. Beijing has repeatedly demanded Washington stop arming Taipei. The US has backed the Taiwan government’s plans to increase defence spending.

China refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a “separatist”. Lai’s administration has called on Cheng to tell China to stop its threats, and says Beijing should engage with the democratically elected government in Taipei.