Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed that foreign interference would not obstruct the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, in a meeting with Taiwan's former leader Ma Ying-jeou.

"Differences in systems cannot change the objective fact that we belong to one nation and one people," China's leader told Ying-jeou, adding that "external interference cannot stop the historic cause of our reunion."

Footage of the meeting published by Taiwan's TVBS News shows President Xi saying both nations' compatriots were linked by blood, and that Taiwan and China were one nation, with one people. 

Ma responded positively, saying, "Young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait represent the future of the Chinese nation."

"If war were to break out between the two sides, it would be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation," he added.

"Chinese people on both sides of the strait absolutely have ample wisdom to peacefully handle disputes and avoid conflicts," stressed Ma, adding that they should also "oppose Taiwan independence."

The two officials met on Wednesday, marking the debut visit of any former leader of Taiwan to the mainland since 1949. 

When Ma's trip was scheduled, he stated that "there is no itinerary in Beijing and no meeting with mainland leaders, including Xi Jinping... The trip is to central China, we have not arranged to go to Beijing."

Ma’s trip was initially intended to facilitate student exchanges and to enable the ex-regional leader to pay his respects to the graves of his ancestors in China, according to Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director, Hsiao Hsu-tsen.

However, his trip rapidly transcended to one that brought "peace" to both nations and their people and de-escalated tensions with Beijing. 

China-Taiwan reunification, US won't come in-between

The last time Ma and Xi met was during a landmark cross-strait summit in 2015 when the former Taiwanese leader was still Taiwan's President. 

However, in 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen took office, bilateral relations between China and Taiwan saw escalated tensions as separatist notions from the Chinese mainland became a goal. 

Her successor, Lai Ching-te is described as a "threat to peace" by China and has been developing relations with the United States. 

However, China has repeatedly warned against US intervention in Taiwanese-Chinese affairs, emphasizing the necessity to avoid any false signals that give separatists the wrong impression. 

Previously, Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said the US “needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and stop official contact with the Taiwan region.”

She then reiterated China's cemented stance against US intervention in Taiwanese elections, saying it sends separatists and independent forces the wrong message, as “there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China," adding that China firmly "opposes the US having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region."

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