Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has embarked on a six-day visit to China, stating her goal is to promote cross-strait peace and potentially meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. She emphasized, "To preserve peace is to preserve Taiwan," highlighting the need for dialogue and mutual trust between the two sides.

This marks the first visit by a Taiwanese opposition leader to China in a decade. Cheng is scheduled to travel to Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, where she hopes to engage with Xi Jinping, although Beijing has not yet commented on a possible meeting. She asserted that the trip demonstrates that peace is not solely desired by Taiwan unilaterally.

The KMT advocates for closer ties with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force for reunification. Cheng has faced criticism for being overly supportive of China; in October, she received a congratulatory message from Xi Jinping upon her election as KMT chairwoman, raising concerns about her alignment.

Cheng's visit coincides with a planned meeting in May between Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, adding a layer of geopolitical complexity. It also occurs amid stalled efforts in Taiwan's parliament, controlled by the opposition, to pass a $40 billion special defense budget. The U.S. regime has been pressuring Taiwanese lawmakers to support defense purchases, including American weapons, to deter a potential Chinese attack, further straining regional stability.

Source: www.dw.com