Lawmaker's Xi Jinping handshake comments spark 'diplomatic discourtesy' row

Taiwanese legislator Cheng Li-wen's recent remarks about her meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a US visit have sparked controversy and criticism. Lawyer Huang Ti-ying accused Cheng of "diplomatic incompetence" and "serious diplomatic discourtesy" for her descriptions of the handshake with Xi.

According to US sources, Cheng described Xi's hands as "large, thick, and soft like clouds" during a meeting. She also reportedly claimed that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called her a "pro-communist collaborator" for standing next to Xi.

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Her claim to compare herself to Trump is a serious diplomatic discourtesy!

Huang questioned Cheng's self-comparison to US President Donald Trump, who also met with Xi. He argued that Trump, unlike Cheng, emphasized that the US policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged and made no commitments to China's claims. Cheng, however, allegedly suggested in the US that Xi promised to discuss cross-strait issues if both sides acknowledged "one China."

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Many people were curious about my feeling when shaking hands with Xi Jinping.

Huang further criticized Cheng's reception in Washington, stating that she was denied meetings with senior US officials and only met with a low-level State Department official. He attributed this to her perceived "diplomatic incompetence" and her remarks about Xi.

Cheng admitted that her comments about the handshake were made in private conversations, but defended them by saying many people were curious about her experience. The controversy highlights the sensitive nature of cross-strait relations and the differing approaches to engaging with mainland China.

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Xi's hands were large, thick, and soft like clouds.