New Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) last week exposed her misunderstanding of the international order in an interview, severely damaging Taiwan’s reputation among global democracies. After being elected, Cheng promptly called Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to thank him for his congratulatory message, claiming that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait share a “common political foundation.” In an interview with Germany’s Deutsche Welle published on Friday, Cheng said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not a dictator,” severely downplaying Russia’s acts of military aggression against Ukraine. Cheng’s behavior demonstrates not only distortion in her values as the leader of a political party, but a betrayal of the free world.
The Putin regime has assassinated dissidents, suppressed free speech and launched a full-scale invasion of another nation’s territory. Its dictatorial nature and totalitarian methods have long been condemned by international human rights organizations and the UN. However, Cheng said that Putin is “not a dictator,” and even went so far as to blame the West for being “too hostile” toward Russia. Her remarks echo the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) distortion of international discourse and directly counter democratic values, effectively placing her on the podium of the Sino-Russian authoritarian front.
Cheng’s remarks have sparked significant concern among European representatives and academics in Taiwan. Officials from at least three countries have privately expressed their shock and unease to Taiwanese officials, pointing out that if the chairperson of the largest opposition party fails to take a clear stance on Russia’s actions, doubts would be raised about the stability of Taiwan’s commitment to democracy. Amid a global confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism, Cheng’s statements are tantamount to an endorsement of Putin’s and Xi’s atrocities, gravely damaging international trust in the deepening of Taiwan’s democracy.
With her political experience as a former legislator, Cheng should be well aware of the impact that words can have on diplomacy and strategic positioning. This was not a slip of the tongue — it was a reflection of her long-standing pro-China, anti-US and anti-democratic stance. She previously endorsed the so-called “1992 consensus” — a tacit understanding between the KMT and the CCP that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Now, by excusing Putin’s actions, she has reminded Taiwanese society to question whether the KMT has already lost touch with mainstream public opinion — or worse, whether its rhetoric has been completely infiltrated by Beijing.
Such remarks would not end with a single incident, but would gradually become a test of the KMT’s diplomatic direction. Should the party fail to immediately distance itself from or correct Cheng’s statement, its silence would be regarded as tacit approval, gradually dragging the party into the abyss. This would not only further alienate the KMT from the US, Japan and Europe, but could also turn it into a time bomb for Taiwan’s security. Democratic societies can tolerate diverse opinions, but they cannot tolerate the blatant glorification of aggressors and dictators.
If the KMT possesses even a shred of ability to save itself, it must immediately clarify its position. Otherwise, Cheng’s bizarre theory of dictatorship would not be a personal mistake — it would mark the prelude to the KMT’s complete annihilation on the international stage. For a political party that still aspires to return to power, this path would destroy not only its future, but also the international trust that the nation depends on.
Elliot Yao is a reviewer.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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