U.S. Misunderstands Taiwan, Making Meetings Irrelevant, Says Former Official
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
Context piece
- Former National Security Council Secretary Su Chi stated that who KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen meets in the U.S. is unimportant because the current U.S. government misunderstands Taiwan.
- Su Chi praised Cheng Li-wen's courage in visiting China and the U.S., comparing her to former KMT Chairman Lien Chan for undertaking difficult diplomatic missions.
- He argued that China's current leadership understands and sympathizes with Taiwan more than the U.S. government, which he believes underestimates or dismisses Taiwan.
Former National Security Council Secretary Su Chi asserted that the specifics of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen's meetings during her U.S. visit are irrelevant, arguing that the current American administration is the least informed about Taiwan. Su Chi believes that key figures in the U.S. government, including President Trump, not only misunderstand Taiwan but also hold it in low regard.
Who Cheng Li-wen meets or doesn't meet in the U.S. is fundamentally unimportant, because the current U.S. government is the group that understands Taiwan the least.
Su Chi commended Cheng Li-wen's courage in undertaking visits to both mainland China and the United States, describing her actions as "going against the wind." He drew parallels to former KMT Chairman Lien Chan's 2005 visit to China, characterizing both as brave endeavors that broke new ground. "I admire this kind of person who can persist in doing things against the wind," Su Chi stated, highlighting Cheng's bravery and willingness to speak truth, much like Lien Chan did.
I admire this kind of person who can persist in doing things against the wind, her courage, speaking the truth, just like former Chairman Lien Chan.
He further elaborated that many individuals within the U.S. government who previously understood Taiwan have since departed, unable to remain in their positions. Su Chi specifically pointed to the State Department and the National Security Council, noting significant staff turnover among those knowledgeable about cross-Strait relations. "So they are the group that understands Taiwan the least," he concluded.
The current U.S. government is the group that understands Taiwan the least, let alone Trump, not only does he not understand, but he fundamentally dismisses it!
Su Chi contended that the current leadership in Beijing, including Xi Jinping, Wang Huning, and Cai Qi, possesses a deeper understanding and empathy for Taiwan than Washington. He urged against framing cross-Strait relations as a simple dichotomy of "pro-China" versus "pro-America," advocating instead for a distinction between "peace" and "conflict." According to Su Chi, Cheng Li-wen and the KMT are pursuing a path of peace, which he believes is the historically correct stance and aligns with global trends, even amidst perceived U.S. volatility.
The current leadership in mainland China is a group that understands, sympathizes with, and has feelings for Taiwan more than any previous leadership, including General Secretary Xi Jinping, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning, and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee Cai Qi. They are a group with the most goodwill.
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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