In a landmark diplomatic event at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). This visit marks the first time a KMT leader has stepped foot in mainland China in a decade, signaling a significant shift in cross-strait engagement. During the meeting, President Xi expressed “full confidence” that the people of China and Taiwan would eventually be united, describing the trend as an “inevitable part of history.”
The discussions centered on maintaining peace and a “common political foundation” of opposing Taiwanese independence. Chairperson Cheng characterized her visit as a “peace mission,” stating that the Taiwan Strait should no longer be seen as a focal point of global conflict. She urged both sides to transcend political confrontation, and reportedly received a “positive” response from Xi regarding Taiwan’s potential participation in international organizations like Interpol and regional trade agreements.
The Defense Spending Stalemate
Cheng’s visit arrives at a critical juncture for Taiwan’s internal politics. Back home, a massive NT$1.25 trillion ($39 billion) defense spending bill remains stalled in a parliament controlled by the opposition. While the United States has pressured lawmakers to approve the purchase of American weapons, Cheng has been vocal in her criticism, famously stating that “Taiwan isn’t an ATM.” The KMT instead advocates for a more conservative defense budget of $12 billion, emphasizing diplomacy over military escalation.
Geopolitical Implications
This high-level meeting occurs just one month before a scheduled summit between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing. As relations between Beijing and Taiwan’s current government under Lai Ching-te remain strained, the KMT’s outreach serves as a parallel diplomatic track. By visiting the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing—a figure revered by both sides—Cheng highlighted shared historical ties, reinforcing her message that the two sides of the Strait are “not doomed to war.”
