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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

KMT Chairwoman's Meeting with Pro-China Scholar Sparks Outrage

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • KMT Chairwoman Zheng Li-wen met with a pro-China US scholar during her US visit, emphasizing dialogue based on opposing "Taiwan independence."
  • DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu criticized the meeting, stating Zheng's remarks mirrored those of China's Taiwan Affairs Office.
  • Wang also pointed to the scholar's past writings critical of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, calling Zheng a representative of Beijing.

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Zheng Li-wen's meeting with Lyle Goldstein, Director of Asian Affairs at the US think tank Defense Priorities, has drawn sharp criticism from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). During her visit to the United States, Zheng reportedly emphasized the need for cross-strait dialogue based on opposing "Taiwan independence." This meeting has sparked controversy due to Goldstein's recent writings in Time magazine, which described Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te as a "reckless leader."

Zheng Li-wen, coming from democratic Taiwan to democratic America, met with an American scholar close to Red China, and her remarks were identical to those of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

— Wang Ting-yuThe DPP legislator criticized Zheng's meeting and statements, comparing them to Beijing's official stance.

DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu strongly condemned the meeting, asserting that Zheng's statements in the US echoed those of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office. Wang highlighted that Maria Bartiromo, a host on Fox Business, had previously stated on air that Zheng represented Beijing. "Zheng Li-wen, coming from democratic Taiwan to democratic America, met with an American scholar close to Red China, and her remarks were identical to those of the Taiwan Affairs Office," Wang stated.

Wang further characterized Goldstein as a "pro-CCP" scholar often used by Beijing. He expressed dismay that Zheng, during her trip to the US, could only meet with such an individual, deeming the meeting to be of "low level" and "poor representation," despite the content pleasing Beijing. "Speaking Beijing's words, coming from Beijing, we all know that," Wang added, suggesting that Zheng's actions do not represent Taiwan internationally and instead serve to praise Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.

Speaking Beijing's words, coming from Beijing, we all know that.

— Wang Ting-yuWang Ting-yu characterized Zheng's remarks as aligning with China's official narrative.

The DPP legislator believes that Zheng's meeting and statements will not create ripples in mainstream international society or Washington's political circles, as her alignment with Beijing's narrative is perceived as clear. The controversy underscores the ongoing political tensions and differing approaches to cross-strait relations between Taiwan's major political parties.

Zheng Li-wen, although from Taiwan, her actions are all praising Xi Jinping and the CCP, and she does not represent Taiwan at all.

— Wang Ting-yuThe legislator asserted that Zheng's actions do not reflect the interests or positions of Taiwan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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