KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun Defends Taiwan-China Engagement During U.S. Visit

Taiwan’s main opposition leader, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, said she used her recent visit to the United States to address what she described as widespread misunderstandings about the party’s approach to cross-strait relations and engagement with China.

Cheng completed a two-week trip to the U.S. following her April visit to China, where she met Chinese President Xi Jinping. During her stay in Washington, she held discussions with nine U.S. lawmakers serving on key congressional committees focused on defense, foreign affairs, and finance. She also met with academics and policy experts from leading think tanks.

According to Cheng, many U.S. policymakers have misconceptions about the KMT’s position on China and Taiwan security. She said her meetings provided an opportunity for American officials and experts to better understand both her leadership and the KMT’s policy priorities.

The KMT has faced criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and China hawks after the opposition-controlled parliament reduced government plans for an additional $40 billion in defense spending. Critics argue that increased military investment is crucial for strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities amid growing tensions with Beijing. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan previously warned that the KMT was “playing with fire” by opposing parts of the defense budget.

Cheng stressed that supporting dialogue with China does not mean weakening Taiwan’s security or compromising its democratic values. She reiterated that the KMT remains committed to maintaining Taiwan’s defense capabilities while pursuing peaceful communication across the Taiwan Strait.

She also revealed that several U.S. think-tank experts encouraged the KMT to take a more active role in proposing its own defense spending initiatives. Cheng said the party is seriously evaluating those recommendations.

China continues to claim Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. Meanwhile, the United States remains Taiwan’s most important security partner and arms supplier under longstanding legislation designed to help the island defend itself.

Cheng welcomed last month’s summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as a positive step toward regional peace and stability. She declined to comment on Trump’s remarks that a proposed $14 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan could serve as a negotiating tool with China, noting that the issue was not raised during her Washington meetings.

When asked about her impressions of Xi, Cheng described the Chinese leader as “very gentle and very nice and very real,” adding that his demeanor suggested an interest in resolving the Taiwan issue through peaceful means.