The BRICS TimesFormer legislator Cheng Li-wun takes the helm of the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s main opposition party.
Taiwan’s major opposition leader officially took charge on Saturday. She sounded an alarm about the possibility of war with China. However, she also promised to start a new period of peace with Beijing. The former lawmaker, Cheng Li-wun, now leads the Kuomintang (KMT). The KMT is the island’s largest opposition party. This leadership change occurs amid rising military and political tensions with Beijing. China views the self-governed island of Taiwan as its own territory.
“This is the worst of times. The Taiwan Strait faces grave military danger and the world is watching closely,” she told party members. She gave her speech at a high school stadium in Taipei. “Taiwan’s security faces the constant threat of war.”
KMT and DPP’s Stance on China
The KMT generally favors close relations with Beijing. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strongly rejects China’s claims of sovereignty. Cheng, age 55, has signaled a move toward even closer China ties. This approach is more conciliatory than her predecessor, Eric Chu. Chu was more cosmopolitan and did not visit China during his term since 2021.
Chinese President Xi Jinping quickly sent congratulations following her election last month. He urged efforts to promote “reunification” in his message to her. Some Chinese online users call Cheng the “reunification goddess.” Still, she recently dismissed such online monikers. She said, “If they are wrong or untrue, just laugh it off.” The KMT’s new Deputy Chairman, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, met Song Tao this week. Song Tao heads China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Cheng did not detail her China policy in her first speech as party head. She did not say if she would visit China. Instead, she stated a commitment to working for peace.
‘A New Era of Peace’
“The KMT will definitely be the party that opens a new era of cross-Strait peace and leads Taiwan forward,” she confidently stated.
Cheng also opposes increasing the defense budget. This budget hike is a key policy of President Lai Ching-te’s government. The United States strongly supports this increased spending.
The KMT lost the presidential election last year. However, the party and its ally, the Taiwan People’s Party, hold a legislative majority. This situation is difficult for the ruling DPP. It struggles to pass its budget and other new laws.
Preparing for local and mayoral elections late next year will be one of Cheng’s first duties. These elections focus mainly on domestic matters. They will give an important measure of public support before the 2028 presidential election.
