Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun departed for China on what she described as a "peace mission," marking the first visit by a senior Taiwanese opposition figure to the mainland since 2016.

Cheng stated she "gladly accepted" an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed hopes to serve as a "bridge for peace" between the two sides. The visit represents a significant diplomatic development given the absence of high-level opposition contact between Taiwan and China for nearly a decade.

The timing of the trip comes amid ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan's defense minister recently detailing warship deployments in the region. Cross-strait relations have remained strained since 2016, when the current Taiwan administration took office.

Cheng's visit is being closely watched as a potential opening for renewed dialogue between opposition political forces in Taiwan and Beijing. The opposition leader emphasized the peaceful nature of her mission, though specific details of planned meetings or discussions have not been disclosed.

The trip marks a notable shift in cross-strait political engagement, as formal diplomatic channels between Taiwan and China have remained largely dormant in recent years. Previous opposition visits to the mainland were more common before 2016, when political dynamics on both sides shifted significantly.