Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Ma, who belongs to Taiwan's largest opposition Kuomintang party, has been visiting China since April 1.

Ma and Xi held talks on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in the capital.

Taiwanese media say the two shook hands for 16 seconds when Xi greeted Ma before the meeting.

During the talks, Xi addressed Ma not by his former title but by name. Xi praised Ma, saying he has firmly maintained the "1992 Consensus" and opposed Taiwan's independence and promoted peace and prosperity of cross-strait relations.

The "1992 Consensus" refers to a tacit understanding reached between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party in 1992 that Taiwan and the mainland belong to "one China." China has said acceptance of the consensus is a precondition for resuming public dialogue with Taiwan.

Xi also said differences in systems cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the same country and race, and external interference cannot stop the historical trend of reunion of the nation and family.

Ma called Xi by title as head of the Communist Party, the General Secretary. He said the two sides should pursue peace and development by firmly maintaining "one China" and finding common ground and leaving behind differences, as well as shelving disputes.

In Taiwan, president-elect Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party will launch his administration in May.

Observers say the remarks by Xi and Ma are aimed at keeping Lai, who does not acknowledge the presence of the "1992 consensus," in check.

The meeting comes as Japan's Prime Minister Kishida and US President Joe Biden are expected to exchange views on the situation in Taiwan during their talks to be held in the US on Wednesday.

Observers say Xi likely wants to give the impression that China is pursuing efforts to ease regional tensions.

Ma and Xi met in Singapore in 2015. Ma was in office at that time. It was the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two sides.