Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) departed today for a six-day visit to China, which might end with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
Thirteen people are accompanying Cheng, including three KMT vice chairpersons, as well as former National Security Council secretary-general Su Chi (蘇起), who admitted making up the term “1992 consensus” in 2000.
The so-called “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that both sides of the Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Photo: CNA
The KMT chairperson was invited to lead a KMT delegation on a visit to Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing from today to Sunday, but it has not been confirmed whether she is to meet Xi during the trip.
Cheng took a flight to Shanghai from Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport).
Although groups supporting and opposing Cheng's trip gathered at the airport, neither caught sight of her, as she reportedly used the special clearance channel rather than the departure hall.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
During a news conference in Taipei this morning before her departure, Cheng said that members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are full of doubts and fear toward China.
“I want to prove to them that peace in the Taiwan Strait is not that difficult,” she said.
If the KMT and the CCP could reconcile and work together for peace, “then why can’t the KMT and the DPP do the same?” she asked.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
The global environment is undeniably unstable, as conflicts spread and public anxiety rises, she said, adding that the Taiwan Strait has been labeled one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints.
As chairwoman, Cheng said she has the responsibility to not only protect Taiwan's 23 million people, but also maintain regional peace.
She said the purpose of her visit is to show the world that Taiwan is not the only side seeking peace, and that the Chinese leadership is also willing and determined to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve differences.
Many people doubted whether her trip to China would materialize and could not believe she received a formal invitation from Xi, she said, adding that public reactions in Taiwan have been mixed, with some expressing anticipation, others unease and many remaining skeptical.
While she did not have the opportunity to meet with President William Lai (賴清德) since announcing the trip, Cheng said she believes he has been closely following developments.
“If you truly love Taiwan, you would seize every possible opportunity to prevent war,” she said. “Safeguarding peace is safeguarding Taiwan.”
She said she hopes that upon her return, the DPP and the KMT could reflect on their confrontations, move away from infighting and work quickly to resolve the current constitutional impasse.
Earlier today, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told reporters he wished the KMT well in its party activities, but would closely monitor the trip.
During a legislative interpellation session, Cho added that any party representative or politically influential figure who makes public contact with the CCP should be subject to intense scrutiny, particularly from the public and the media.
Additional reporting by CNA
LEVERAGE: China did not ‘need to fire a shot’ to deny Taiwan airspace over Africa when it owns ‘half the continent’s debt,’ a US official said, calling it economic warfare The EU has raised concerns about overflight rights following the delay of President William Lai’s (賴清德) planned state visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini after three African nations denied overflight clearance for his charter at the last minute. Taiwanese allies Paraguay and Saint Kitts and Nevis, as well as several US lawmakers and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) condemned China for allegedly pressuring the countries. Lai was scheduled to fly directly to Taiwan’s only African ally from yesterday to Sunday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession and his 58th birthday, but Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar suddenly revoked
China on Wednesday teased in a video an aircraft carrier that could be its fourth, and the first using nuclear power, while making an allusion to Taiwan and vowing to further build up its islands, as it looks to boost maritime power, secure resources and bolster territorial claims. The video, issued on the eve of the 77th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, featured fictional officers with names that are homophones of three commissioned aircraft carriers, the Liaoning (遼寧), Shandong (山東) and Fujian (福建). Titled Into the Deep, it showed a 19-year-old named “Hejian” (何劍) joining the group, sparking
BIG YEAR: The company said it would also release its A12 chip the same year to keep a ‘reliable stream of new silicon technologies’ flowing to its customers Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) yesterday said its newest A13 chip is to enter volume production in 2029 as the chipmaker seeks to hold onto its tech leadership and demand for next-generation chips used in artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance-computing (HPC) and mobile applications. TSMC, the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, also unveiled its A12 chip at its annual technology symposium in Santa Clara, California. The A12 chip, which features TSMC’s super-power-rail technology to provide backside power delivery for AI and HPC applications, is also to enter volume production in 2029, a year after the scheduled release of the A14 chip. The technology moves
ESWATINI TRIP: The ‘irresponsible actions’ of three African nations set a dangerous precedent and they should be held accountable, a US representative said The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday urged Washington not to normalize Chinese pressure, while a US lawmaker called on the US government to hold countries accountable for yielding to Beijing’s pressure to block President William Lai’s (賴清德) planned trip to Eswatini. Lai had been scheduled to visit Eswatini to attend birthday events for King Mswati III of Eswatini this week, but on Tuesday, the eve of his planned departure on Wednesday, the Presidential Office said the trip was “suspended” after the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew overflight permission. “China reportedly pressured Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar to deny airspace access
RSS