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KMT chairperson begins high-stakes China visit
Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun arrived in China on Tuesday for a six-day trip that includes a planned meeting with President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a sitting KMT chief in a decade.
Trip framed as peace effort amid criticism
Cheng described her visit as an opportunity to serve as a "bridge for peace," accepting Xi's invitation to engage in dialogue. The trip spans Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, where the highly anticipated meeting with Xi is expected to take place.
Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) condemned the visit, calling Cheng "subservient" to Beijing and warning that her itinerary would be "completely controlled" by the Chinese Communist Party. The DPP also accused China of undermining regional stability by deploying military aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that Taipei would closely monitor the visit, reflecting broader concerns over Beijing's influence on cross-strait relations.
Cross-strait tensions and U.S. role
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification. Most Taiwanese favor maintaining the status quo-neither formal independence nor unification-while Beijing has suspended some communications with Taipei since DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen became president in 2016.
Analysts suggest Cheng's trip reflects a shift in Taiwan's political landscape, driven partly by skepticism toward U.S. commitments under former President Donald Trump. William Yang, a Northeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that Cheng aims to position herself as a leader capable of reducing cross-strait tensions amid Trump's ambiguous Taiwan policy.
"Cheng sees this as an opportunity to present herself as the political leader capable of maintaining cross-strait exchange and potentially reducing cross-strait tension."
William Yang, International Crisis Group
Geopolitical calculations ahead of U.S.-China talks
Xi's invitation to Cheng comes weeks before his scheduled meeting with Trump in Beijing on May 14-15. Analysts say China seeks to undermine U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation by fostering ties with the KMT, allowing Beijing to focus on economic negotiations with Washington.
Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University's Taiwan Centre, argued that Beijing's strategy aims to "cut business deals" with the U.S. while sidelining cross-strait disputes.
The visit could also boost the KMT's prospects in Taiwan's upcoming local elections, though Cheng's conciliatory stance toward China has drawn domestic criticism.
Domestic skepticism and political risks
Despite beginning her career as a pro-independence advocate, Cheng has recently sought to portray herself as a peace broker. However, her willingness to engage with Beijing has sparked backlash within Taiwan.
Chong Ja-Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, described Cheng as a "fair-weather politician" who prioritizes personal ambition over principle. Polls indicate low public confidence in her leadership, with critics questioning whether her approach will benefit Taiwan or merely serve Beijing's interests.
"Many do read Cheng as an opportunist with little principle, and a politician that cares about her own position more than anything else."
Chong Ja-Ian, National University of Singapore
Defense budget impasse adds pressure
The trip occurs as Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament blocks a $40 billion special defense spending bill, which a bipartisan U.S. delegation recently urged lawmakers to pass. The standoff underscores broader uncertainties over Taiwan's security strategy amid shifting U.S. and Chinese policies.
