Xi told that China must understand desires of Taiwan's people

~BEIJING – One of Taiwan’s most experienced politicians, James Soong, who is  now Chairman of Taiwan's People First Party, has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to understand the desire of the Taiwan people to be masters of their own fate. During a meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, Soong said Taiwan has recently undergone changes that Beijing must understand when engaging with Taipei, including the rise of a more autonomous civic consciousness.

Soong was responding to Xi's comment that China hopes Taiwanese people can lead better lives, but it will never waver in its determination to prevent Taiwan's independence, part of what Xi called China's "four no’s" principle related to Taiwan.

Although Soong has visited Beijing several times since 2005, it was the first time he met Xi. His Party has two seats in Taiwan's legislature.