The meeting between President Xi Jinping, chief of the Communist Party, and Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party the Kuomintang, was the first in nearly a decade between the sitting leaders of the two parties. Its timing was especially significant. Amid global concern about armed conflict, China is increasingly seen as a source of stability. That makes a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and Friday’s meeting with the KMT leader critical not only to China, but also to the region and the rest of the world.

The message from the post-meeting press conference and from official media reports is clear: as Xi emphasised and Cheng echoed, people on both sides of the strait wish for peace and economic development that improves livelihoods.

It is therefore important to reach a resolution over Taiwan. The world needs to understand that sovereignty over Taiwan is a core issue for China – not only to national security but to national identity.

Xi told Cheng that Beijing was willing to boost dialogue and exchanges with various political parties, including the KMT, based on the common political foundation of opposing Taiwan independence, Xinhua reported. “Taiwan independence is the chief culprit that undermines peace across the Taiwan Strait, and we will never tolerate or condone it,” he said. In that regard, Cheng was unambiguous: “As long as we simply adhere to the 1992 consensus and oppose ‘Taiwan independence’, cross-strait exchanges can proceed with ease.”

Given the death and destruction in the Middle East and the drawn-out war in Ukraine, sensible people in Taiwan should realise it would be the biggest loser in any armed conflict, regardless of the outcome.

Beijing has made it clear that under the one-China principle, it respects Taiwan’s unique lifestyle and system, and hopes Taiwan can reciprocate by recognising the mainland’s achievements over the decades. With mutual respect for each other’s uniqueness and strengths, there will be a lot of room to work together. For some in Cheng’s delegation on their first visit to the mainland, observing the transformation of its society and economy has been an eye-opener.