Taiwan opposition leader's Beijing meeting with Xi sparks domestic political backlash

Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, shaking his hand for 14 seconds during what was framed as a 'Peace Mission.' The meeting has triggered significant political controversy in Taiwan, with critics arguing the opposition leader may have strengthened China's diplomatic position without concrete results. The encounter reflects ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and raises questions about whether engagement with Beijing undermines Taiwan's political consensus. This matters to Americans because Taiwan's stability is critical to U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific, and internal Taiwanese divisions over China policy directly affect regional security.