China's chief official on Taiwan affairs has met the deputy head of Taiwan's largest opposition party. The meeting is seen as an attempt to strengthen ties in the run-up to Taiwan's presidential election in January.

Song Tao, the director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met Andrew Hsia, the vice chairman of the Kuomintang, or KMT, in China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency quotes Song as saying that "Taiwan independence separatist forces are colluding with external forces" which "undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

He added, "Taiwan is faced with a major choice between peace and war, and between prosperity and recession."

Song also said that the mainland side will work with the KMT and other relevant political parties, organizations and people from all walks of life "to bring cross-Strait relations back to the right track of peaceful development."

Hsia reportedly said, "The KMT is willing to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the mainland and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations."

The Kuomintang has chosen a pro-Beijing candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih, for the presidential election, and aims to win back power for the first time in eight years.

Terry Gou, the founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, has announced his intention to run as an independent after being rejected by the KMT.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party has named Vice President Lai Ching-te as its candidate. Another opposition force, the Taiwan People's Party, has chosen Ko Wen-je to run in the presidential race.