DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Taiwan opposition leader seeks to ease US concerns over China stance

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Taiwan's opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun of the Kuomintang (KMT), visited the U.S. to address "misunderstandings" about her party's approach to China.
  • Cheng faced criticism from U.S. hawks, particularly regarding the KMT's support for reduced government defense spending.
  • She emphasized that seeking peaceful dialogue with China does not mean abandoning Taiwan's defense capabilities, democracy, or freedom.

Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), concluded a two-week U.S. visit aimed at clarifying her party's stance on China. Cheng stated that her meetings with U.S. congressional members, academics, and think tank representatives helped correct "many misunderstandings" about the KMT's pro-engagement approach.

many misunderstandings

— Cheng Li-wunCheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's Kuomintang party, stated she addressed misunderstandings about her party's approach to China during her U.S. visit.

Her visit followed a trip to China in April, where she met President Xi Jinping. In Washington, Cheng encountered criticism from some U.S. political figures, particularly concerning the KMT's parliamentary majority, which has supported a significant cut to planned government defense spending. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan had warned that the KMT was "playing with fire."

Speaking about her meetings, Cheng expressed confidence that her interlocutors gained a clearer view of "the real KMT and the real me." She assured them of her candor and honesty, stating, "I am honest and candid … and they can tell it when they meet me in person." She also noted that U.S. experts suggested the KMT should be more proactive in proposing its own defense spending legislation, a suggestion the party is seriously considering.

playing with fire

— Senator Dan SullivanRepublican Senator Dan Sullivan warned about the implications of the KMT's stance on defense spending.

Cheng stressed that the KMT's pursuit of peaceful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait does not equate to abandoning Taiwan's national defense, democracy, or freedom. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force. The U.S. remains Taiwan's primary international supporter and arms supplier, bound by law to help Taiwan defend itself.

the real KMT and the real me

— Cheng Li-wunCheng Li-wun expressed her belief that her meetings in the U.S. allowed for a clearer understanding of her party and herself.

Cheng also commented on her impressions of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, describing him as "very gentle and very nice and very real," which she interpreted as a sign of his desire for a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue. She declined to comment on former U.S. President Donald Trump's remark about a pending U.S. arms sale to Taiwan being a "very good negotiating chip," as the issue was not discussed during her Washington meetings.

I am honest and candid … and they can tell it when they meet me in person.

— Cheng Li-wunCheng Li-wun described her approach during meetings in Washington.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog