Key facts
- Taiwan's opposition KMT party chairwoman Cheng Li-wun visited the U.S. to clarify her party's stance on China.
- Cheng stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are shared goals, emphasizing that dialogue with Beijing does not mean abandoning defense or democracy.
- She met with U.S. lawmakers and Trump administration representatives, aiming to ease concerns over the KMT's approach to China.
- Cheng described Chinese leader Xi Jinping as "very gentle and very nice and very real" and believed Xi desired peaceful resolution of Taiwan issues.
- The KMT previously objected to a large defense spending proposal, prioritizing U.S. weapons purchases instead.
Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun stated Friday that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are shared goals, emphasizing that dialogue with Beijing does not mean abandoning defense or democracy. Cheng, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, made the remarks during a trip to Washington aimed at easing U.S. concerns over her party's approach to China.
Cheng met with U.S. lawmakers and scholars, describing Chinese leader Xi Jinping as "very gentle and very nice and very real" and expressing belief that Xi desires peaceful resolution of Taiwan issues. She noted that her party agrees both sides of the strait belong to the same Chinese nation and promotes dialogue with Beijing as necessary for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
The KMT previously objected to an initial $40 billion defense spending proposal, favoring a $25 billion special defense budget that prioritized U.S. weapons purchases. Cheng indicated her party could not write a "blank check" for proposals lacking details.
U.S. lawmakers expressed mixed reactions. Sen. Dan Sullivan noted the need for the KMT to finalize the defense budget, while Rep. Tom Suozzi voiced concerns that the party's resistance to a robust budget might weaken deterrence. Rep. John Rose affirmed his commitment to supporting Taiwan's sovereignty and U.S.-Taiwan relations.