Taiwan Opposition Leader Bound for China

(MENAFN) The leader of Taiwan’s primary opposition, the Kuomintang (KMT), is set to travel to mainland China, marking the first visit of its kind since 2016. Cheng Li-wun, a prominent critic of Taiwanese independence, was invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping and describes the trip as a mission to foster peace.

Taiwan has operated as a self-governing territory since 1949, when Chinese nationalist forces retreated there following defeat by the communists in the civil war. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory under the One China policy, a stance recognized by most countries globally.

Cheng’s visit begins Tuesday and is expected to end Sunday, with the KMT chair leading a delegation. She has expressed her goal to meet Xi directly, pursuing what she calls “cross-strait peace and stability.”

Speaking to media before departure, Cheng stressed, “in Taiwan, we must do everything in our power to prevent a war in the Taiwan Strait,” adding that she does not want the island to “become the next Ukraine.”

Late last month, she also remarked that “the entire world follows the ‘one China’ policy and does not support Taiwanese independence, including [our] long-time ally, the US.”

Cheng, once a fervent pro-independence activist, shifted her stance later in life and was elected KMT chair last November. Under her leadership, the party appears to be reinforcing its long-standing advocacy for closer economic and cultural engagement with mainland China.

“For the safety, well-being, and future of 23 million people, we must jointly demonstrate the utmost sincerity and goodwill to resolve cross-strait differences,” Cheng said.

The opposition leader has also criticized Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s push to expand military spending. KMT lawmakers have blocked a $39-billion defense bill in parliament, with Cheng asserting, “If cross-strait relations are peaceful and stable, we don’t need a pointless arms race.”

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