KMT and CCP Officials Reiterate '1992 Consensus' and Opposition to Taiwan Independence in Beijing Forum

Cross-Strait Dialogue Held in Beijing

Officials from Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) and China's Communist Party (CCP) convened for a think tank forum in Beijing on February 3, 2026. The forum, titled 'Prospects for Cross-Strait Exchange and Cooperation,' took place at the China World Hotel. Discussions centered on reaffirming the '1992 Consensus' and expressing a shared stance against Taiwan independence, alongside exploring cooperation in various sectors.

Key Participants and Statements

The KMT delegation was led by Deputy Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen, who headed a 40-member group. On the CCP side, Wang Huning, the fourth-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met with Hsiao. Song Tao, Director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, also addressed the forum. Both sides underscored the importance of upholding the '1992 Consensus' and opposing 'Taiwan independence' as foundational principles for cross-strait relations.

The forum also delved into practical areas of cooperation, including:

• Cross-strait tourism
• Industrial exchanges, specifically in precision machinery, healthcare, energy, and disaster prevention
• Environmental sustainability cooperation

The '1992 Consensus' and Divergent Interpretations

The '1992 Consensus' is a political term referring to the alleged outcome of a 1992 meeting between semi-official representatives from the PRC and the KMT-led Republic of China. The KMT's understanding of the consensus is 'one China, different interpretations,' meaning both sides acknowledge 'one China' but are free to interpret what 'China' means. Conversely, the CCP's position emphasizes 'one China,' with the PRC as the sole legitimate representative, often linking it to 'one country, two systems' and national unification.

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not recognize the '1992 Consensus,' arguing that Beijing's interpretation aims to annex Taiwan and eliminate the Republic of China.

Reactions and Broader Context

The meeting drew sharp criticism from Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which condemned the '1992 Consensus' as a framework designed to annex Taiwan. The MAC stated that public opinion in Taiwan has 'firmly rejected' this position. The DPP also criticized the KMT's participation, accusing it of endorsing Beijing's 'one-China principle' and potentially undermining Taiwan's sovereignty. Critics in Taiwan have voiced concerns that such forums could pose national security risks and hinder Taiwan's efforts to develop a 'non-red supply chain,' thereby increasing economic dependence on mainland China.