TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) announced on Monday (March 30) plans to visit China from April 7 to 12 for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). Cheng said she aims to promote cross-strait peace, emphasizing the "1992 Consensus" and opposition to Taiwan independence as foundational principles for dialogue.
Cheng said she received an invitation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee earlier Monday, which she accepted. She recalled her participation in the historic 2005 visit with former KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰). Cheng highlighted the KMT's commitment to its party constitution and the Republic of China Constitution, urging dialogue to replace confrontation between the two sides.
Cheng expressed gratitude for the efforts of Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), Chang Jung-kung (張榮恭), and Song Tao (宋濤), director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, acknowledging their role in facilitating the visit. She also expressed willingness to meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) before and after her trip. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said the government will closely monitor developments.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, criticized China's efforts to engage Taiwan's opposition parties, claiming it aims to divide Taiwan internally. The DPP urged opposition parties to reject China's political conditions, citing China's 11 consecutive years of military spending increases as a threat to the region. The party questioned the KMT's opposition to arms purchases, suggesting Beijing may have arranged Cheng's visit to obstruct Taiwan's defense procurement. ◼