The leader of Taiwan’s primary opposition party departed Tuesday for China on what she describes as a diplomatic peace effort, with a possible meeting scheduled with Chinese President Xi Jinping during escalating tensions between the two nations.
Cheng Li-wun, who heads the Kuomintang (KMT) party, is making this journey while Chinese military activities around Taiwan have intensified and as the opposition-controlled legislature blocks government proposals for an additional $40 billion in military expenditures.
Both Taiwan’s ruling and opposition parties have launched competing social media campaigns surrounding this visit, each using contrasting themes of conflict versus harmony.
“Peace is the only foundation for prosperity, and the hope for Taiwan’s future,” the KMT declared in a Sunday statement, accompanied by a promotional video showing young citizens enjoying leisure activities and gazing at stars.
Taiwan’s governing Democratic Progressive Party responded with sharp criticism on Facebook, accusing the KMT of attempting to “cooperate with the Chinese communists’ scheme to weaken Taiwan’s defence capabilities,” referencing the stalled defense budget that has U.S. support.
During a press briefing with international media last month, Cheng stated that “peace cannot possibly be achieved through defence capabilities alone” and emphasized that diplomatic solutions are equally crucial.
Her China visit occurs one month ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Although both sides might reach cooperative agreements on agricultural trade and aircraft component commerce, discussions are anticipated to address contentious issues including Taiwan, where meaningful advancement appears unlikely.
During a February phone conversation, Xi urged Trump that the United States “must carefully handle arms sales to Taiwan.”
This marks the first visit by a KMT leader to mainland China in ten years, though Chinese officials have not confirmed whether Xi will definitely meet with Cheng during her Beijing stay beginning Thursday.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees cross-strait policy, stated last week that Cheng should urge Beijing to cease military intimidation and acknowledge Taiwanese citizens’ right to determine their own destiny.
Beijing refuses diplomatic engagement with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “separatist.”
China has never ruled out military action to gain control over Taiwan but maintains that “peaceful reunification” remains its preferred approach.
Chinese authorities have intensified recent campaigns attempting to convince Taiwanese citizens of potential advantages, including energy security guarantees, which Taiwanese officials have dismissed.
Last Friday, China’s Eastern Theatre Command, responsible for any potential Taiwan military operation, released an illustrated image depicting how “Taiwan province” would appear during the traditional Tomb Sweeping Festival if unified with China.
The illustration showed people placing flowers at a “Monument for the complete reunification of the motherland” located at Taipei’s Machangding Memorial Park, where alleged communist operative Wu Shi was executed by KMT forces in 1950.
KMT troops retreated to Taiwan in 1949 following their defeat in a civil war against Mao Zedong’s communist forces.
Taiwanese public opinion surveys consistently demonstrate minimal support for accepting Beijing’s authority under its “one country, two systems” framework.
When questioned by international reporters about her position on “reunification,” Cheng indicated that such discussions remain premature.
“What we need to deal with now is how to create peaceful and stable cross-strait relations,” she explained.
