U.S. experts found KMT chair's cross-strait remarks 'terrible,' says DPP

Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party chairwoman Sylvia Chang's recent visit to the United States has drawn sharp criticism from within Taiwan, with reports suggesting that former U.S. officials and think tank experts deemed her cross-strait and security discourse "terrible" and lacking preparation.

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Everyone sees a beast and finds it scary, discussing how to prevent it, but Sylvia Chang held Xi Jinping's hand and packaged his image, thinking his hand was as soft as clouds.

Responding to these reports, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung echoed the sentiment, stating that while most people would find a "beast" frightening and take precautions, Chang described Chinese President Xi Jinping's hand as soft as clouds. DPP Secretary-General Fan Yun further elaborated, calling Chang's repeated affirmation of the "One China" principle and her downplaying of its connection to "one country, two systems" as "terrible" and "very terrible."

Fan Yun argued that Chang's statements align with Beijing's narrative, undermining Taiwan's strategic position at a time when the international community is increasingly aware of China's expansionist ambitions. She questioned how a leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party could follow the Chinese Communist Party's rhetoric, effectively abandoning Taiwan's stance.

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Chang's remarks repeatedly echo Xi Jinping's 'One China,' and even erase what Xi said six years ago, claiming the '1992 Consensus' has nothing to do with 'one country, two systems.' Such an expression naturally makes everyone feel it's terrible, very terrible.

Adding to the controversy, Fan Yun, who also serves as a board member of the Democratic Progressive Foundation, raised concerns about Chang's applications for funding from the foundation. Fan Yun pointed out that the foundation's purpose is to build partnerships with democratic organizations globally. She questioned whether meeting with Xi Jinping, whom she described as a force harming democracy, aligns with the foundation's mission, and expressed opposition to using taxpayer money for such interactions.

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Is meeting with Xi Jinping, who is a force harming democracy, in line with the Democratic Progressive Foundation's mission? I, as a board member, will oppose Sylvia Chang's application for taxpayer money to shake hands with a dictator.