Taiwan opposition leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping

Taiwan Opposition Leader’s China Visit Sparks Political Discussion

Taiwan’s leading opposition figure has arrived in China, where a significant meeting with President Xi Jinping is anticipated. Cheng Li-wun, the newly elected head of the Kuomintang (KMT), recently accepted an invitation from Xi to travel to the mainland. She aims to position herself as a “bridge for peace” during her six-day itinerary, which includes stops in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing.

Cheng’s visit marks the first time an incumbent KMT chief has traveled to China in ten years. Beijing severed some ties with Taiwan after the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016, due to her stance against the idea of a unified Chinese nation. China views Taiwan as a province that will eventually join the country, and has not ruled out military action to achieve this.

Opposition and Status Quo

While many in Taiwan identify as a sovereign nation, the majority support the current “status quo,” meaning they avoid formal declarations of independence or unification. This delicate balance is now under scrutiny as Cheng’s trip unfolds. On Tuesday, the DPP criticized her for being “subservient” to Beijing, arguing that the visit would be “completely controlled” by the Communist Party and could harm regional peace.

Beijing’s actions have included sending war planes and naval ships near Taiwan, according to the DPP. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated the government would keep a close watch on Cheng’s activities. Historically, the KMT has maintained friendly relations with China, but Cheng’s proactive approach contrasts with her predecessors’ more reserved stance on cross-strait matters.

US Role and Strategic Implications

The visit occurs amid growing doubts about the US in Taiwan, attributed to Donald Trump’s inconsistent policies. William Yang, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that Cheng sees the trip as a chance to “present herself as the political leader capable of maintaining cross-strait exchange.” This aligns with her broader goal of reducing tensions between Taiwan and China.

Despite the US’s formal ties with Beijing, it has long been Taiwan’s primary arms supplier. Trump recently proposed that Taiwan should compensate the US for its defense against China. A bipartisan US delegation recently visited Taipei to push for a $40bn defense budget, though the proposal remains stalled in the opposition-led legislature.

Political Calculations and Controversies

Xi’s invitation to Cheng comes shortly before his meeting with Trump in late May. Wen-ti Sung, a scholar at Australia’s National University Taiwan Centre, suggested Beijing’s timing was strategic, aiming to “undermine the argument for US-Taiwan defense cooperation” during Trump’s visit. This would allow China to focus on economic discussions with the US, rather than cross-strait issues.

For Cheng and the KMT, the visit may offer political gains ahead of local elections. However, her alignment with Beijing has drawn criticism within Taiwan. Chong Ja-Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, described Cheng as a “fair-weather politician” who prioritizes personal advantage over principles. “Who this benefits, and how much, are the bigger questions,” Chong added.

“Beijing wants a cordial meeting with Taiwan’s opposition to undermine the argument for US-Taiwan defence cooperation,” says Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist with the Australian National University’s Taiwan Centre.

“That is a reason why the polls show little confidence in her,” notes Chong Ja-Ian of the National University of Singapore. “That also means that she is willing to wheel and deal.”