KMT chair's US visit called 'Xi office propaganda' by Taiwan's ruling party

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Chiang Wan-an embarked on a two-week visit to the United States, arriving in San Francisco on June 2nd. The delegation's trip has drawn sharp criticism from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has accused the KMT of acting as a mouthpiece for Beijing.

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The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized the visit, labeling it a 'Xi Office external propaganda group' and questioning the delegation's members and funding.

The DPP spokesperson, Lin Chu-yin, stated that Chiang's recent public remarks, particularly her assertion that "Taiwan does not need to choose sides between the US and China," are a guise to conceal her pro-China stance. The DPP argues that such statements disregard China's ongoing military threats towards Taiwan and undermine trust between Taiwan and its democratic allies, spreading misinformation internationally.

Further fueling the controversy, the DPP pointed to the inclusion of KMT Central Standing Committee member Chin Peng-chen in the delegation. Chin, who has a Chinese spouse and serves as vice chairman of the Taiwan Enterprise Federation (TEF), has raised suspicions of being a "liaison officer" from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. The DPP also referenced recent controversies involving former President Ma Ying-jeou's office, suggesting potential financial entanglements and political coordination between KMT-affiliated individuals and Beijing.

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Chiang's recent statements, particularly her assertion that 'Taiwan does not need to choose sides between the US and China,' are a guise to conceal her pro-China stance.

The DPP urged the KMT to be transparent about the background of its delegation members and address concerns regarding funding sources. They warned the KMT against becoming a conduit for Chinese united front activities and emphasized that such a visit risks sending the wrong signal to the US and the international community, rather than enhancing Taiwan's international credibility.

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The DPP pointed to the inclusion of KMT Central Standing Committee member Chin Peng-chen in the delegation. Chin, who has a Chinese spouse and serves as vice chairman of the Taiwan Enterprise Federation (TEF), has raised suspicions of being a 'liaison officer' from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.