TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) attended China's Victory Day commemorative event at Beijing's Tiananmen Square Wednesday (Sept. 3), drawing significant cross-strait political attention. The KMT, Taiwan's main opposition party, has historically maintained closer ties with Beijing than the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, but her participation in the high-profile Chinese ceremony has sparked controversy regarding Taiwan-China relations.
Hung, dressed in green attire, observed the military parade from the prestigious Tiananmen rostrum alongside other prominent Taiwan political figures. Her delegation included KMT Central Standing Committee member He Ying-lu (何鷹鷺), KMT Central Committee member Lee De-wei (李德維), former KMT Central Committee member Hsu Cheng-wen (徐正文), and New Party Chairman Wu Cherng-dean (吳成典). The presence of these high-ranking Taiwan politicians at China's most significant political venue captured widespread media attention across the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese media reported that a reception would be held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People following the parade, with Hung, Wu, and Taiwan Affairs Office Director Song Tao (宋濤) seated prominently in the front row. Hung addressed mounting criticism on Facebook, emphasizing that her trip complied with all legal requirements and clarifying that she no longer holds any official political position. She also criticized Taiwan's government for oppressing the people and attaching false labels to them. ◼