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Taiwan opposition leader seeks Trump meeting to discuss China conflict avoidance

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwan's opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun, expressed willingness to meet with US President Donald Trump during her upcoming US visit.
  • Cheng, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, aims to discuss avoiding military conflict with China.
  • The KMT leader previously met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and is seeking dialogue with pivotal leaders for peace.

Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has stated she is "very willing" to meet with US President Donald Trump during her upcoming two-week trip to the United States. Cheng is scheduled to depart for the US on Monday, following her April visit to China where she met President Xi Jinping.

I am of course very willing.

— Cheng Li-wunResponding to a question about meeting US President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Cheng emphasized her openness to meeting any leader who is "conducive to peace," drawing a parallel to her meeting with Xi. "The same applies to President Trump. Anything that is helpful to peace, I am willing to do; anyone who is helpful to peace, I am willing to meet, let alone the most critical decision-maker and leader, which is the president of the United States," she said.

Cheng's trip comes amid ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and refuses to engage with Taiwan's current president, Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a "separatist." Cheng expressed optimism about improving China-US ties following a recent summit between Trump and Xi. She plans to meet with lawmakers and US officials during her visit, including a stop in Washington, though she declined to name specific individuals due to confidentiality.

The same applies to President Trump. Anything that is helpful to peace, I am willing to do; anyone who is helpful to peace, I am willing to meet, let alone the most critical decision-maker and leader, which is the president of the United States.

— Cheng Li-wunExplaining her willingness to meet with President Trump for the sake of peace.

While the KMT, along with its ally the Taiwan People's Party, holds a majority in Taiwan's parliament, the party recently reduced the government's planned $40 billion arms spending by a third. The US has supported Taiwan's defense budget increase, particularly for domestically produced equipment like drones. Cheng believes Taiwan's defense resilience requires not only military hardware but also dialogue with China.

I had also met President Xi Jinping. The same applies to President Trump.

— Cheng Li-wunDrawing a parallel between her potential meeting with Trump and her previous meeting with Xi Jinping.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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