Unpacking the Xi-Cheng Meeting: Objectives and Outcomes

Recorded on April 10, 2026.

On today’s episode, we’ll discuss the recent meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, the first in a decade between a Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and a KMT Chair.

Ms. Cheng was elected party chair only four months ago, and her top priority was to meet with Xi Jinping. She has not yet visited the United States, but says she intends to do so later this year.

In their public statements, Xi Jinping and Cheng Li-wun highlighted several common themes, including opposition to Taiwan independence, support for the 1992 Consensus, shared history and Chinese heritage, that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, the importance of China’s national rejuvenation, and the need to preserve peace and promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 

To discuss this historic meeting, I’m joined by Amanda Hsiao. Amanda is a director in Eurasia Group's China practice covering China's foreign policy and cross-strait relations.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction
[01:42] Why the Xi–Cheng Meeting Matters
[03:00] Cheng Li-wun’s Aims and Messaging
[06:13] Xi Jinping’s Strategic Objectives
[11:17] Signaling Ahead of the Trump-Xi Summit
[13:23] Progress Towards Unification
[17:53] Shifting Positions on the 1992 Consensus
[22:25] Public Views of Cheng Li-wun
[26:32] Potential Shifts to China’s Taiwan Policy
[28:12] Implications for Use of Force
[30:34] What Stood Out During Cheng’s China Trip