Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) in an interview with NBC News aired on Saturday said the party would be committed to deepening Taiwan-US ties while promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan-US relationship has been invariably important to Taiwan, she said, adding that the KMT used to fight side by side with the US and continues to maintain that bilateral relationship.
The KMT is grateful for the US’ support during critical moments in the past and would be committed to deepening, expanding and cementing Taiwan-US relations, Cheng said.
Photo: Screengrab from NBC’s YouTube channel
Taiwan-US relations should not be a one-sided dependency, but be based on reciprocity, cooperation and coprosperity, she said.
Taiwan and the US should continue to deepen cooperation based on common values, such as democracy and freedom, to build a more healthy, stable and sustainable partnership, she added.
Improving cross-strait relations would not compromise Taiwan’s relationship with the US, Cheng said, adding that it was not an “either-or choice.”
Promoting peace across the Strait and reducing the risk of conflicts aligns with the interests of Taiwan, as well as the US and the international community’s expectations of regional stability, Cheng said.
The KMT would strive to resolve differences and build mutual trust between the two sides of the Strait via dialogues, exchanges and benevolent interactions, thereby achieving stable and sustainable cross-strait peace, she said.
The party values national defense and supports Taiwan’s military cooperation with the US in maintaining necessary defense capabilities, Cheng said.
Controversies over defense budgets arose mainly because the governing party failed to fully disclose all necessary information, making it difficult for the legislature to conduct comprehensive oversight and review, she added.
The KMT remains consistent on its position, Cheng said, adding that it would responsibly conduct budget reviews to ensure national security and democratic oversight through information transparency and procedural soundness.
Taiwan should not become a trigger for conflicts, but a key force in maintaining regional peace, she said.
The nation was on the frontline of the first island chain during the Cold War era, but given the current international situation, Taiwan should instead become a critical contributor to the “first peace chain,” facilitating peace, stability and cooperation, Cheng said.
“All are winners in times of peace; all are losers in times of war,” she said.
Cheng said she does not want political competitions in Taiwan, cross-strait interactions or US-China relations to be reduced to zero-sum games.
All parties involved should engage in sincere dialogues and collaborations with goodwill, wisdom and broader perspectives to open a new chapter of world peace, she added.
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