Xi Jinping warns China's communist government will collapse if Taiwan's independence matters mishandled

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly warned that the communist regime in Beijing would collapse if the matters pertaining to Taiwan's independence are mishandled. His dire warning was made during his talks with Taiwan's opposition leader Hung Hsiu-chu when the latter visited Beijing.

Hung, who is the leader of the Kuomintang party, was in the Chinese capital earlier this week, shaking hands with Xi in an attempt to rejuvenate relations between the two countries. However, it is reported that the Chinese leader has made it clear there will be no option in which Taiwan would seek a total independence.

The South China Morning Post, which cited local reports, said Xi has told Hung during the discussions: "From the position of Chinese people's nationalism, 1.3 billion people on the mainland would not agree to Taiwan's formal independence," before adding: "The Communist Party would be overthrown by the people if the pro-independence issue was not dealt with."

Xi reportedly went on to say that Beijing would not stay silent and "would not let other international forces interfere" in case Taipei decides to declare independence.

Taiwan and the mainland China have been ruled separately ever since a civil war split them in 1949, but Beijing is determined that Taiwan should also adopt the "one-China policy." It was earlier agreed that there will be "one-China" policy but the sides were allowed to interpret what exactly it meant. Till now, China has not ruled out military intervention if Taiwan breaks away.

Members of Hung's delegation have not revealed any specifics of her talks with Xi but have neither denied not confirmed the Chinese president's warning.

Following her five-day visit, Hung told reporters after landing back in Taipei: "During our state there, we experienced the warmth of our hosts and the goodwill and sincerity of their leader [Xi]."

Beijing has snapped its communication with the Taiwanese government ever since the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, led by Tsai lng-wen, came to power in May 2016.

Still, for the first time in a sign of improving the ties, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council – which is the top agency responsible for relations with Beijing – said Taipei is hoping to seal a formal peace accord with China. While addressing reporters on Hung's visit, the agency's spokesperson Chiu Chui-cheng, however, cautioned: "The current situation is not ripe for a peace agreement."