Taiwan's new KMT chair Cheng Li-wen is willing to meet China's President Xi Jinping

Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文), the newly elected chair of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, has expressed her willingness to visit mainland China and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).

The KMT held its party chair election on Oct. 18. Cheng, a former legislator, won with 50.15% of the vote, defeating five other candidates to become the new party leader.

At 55 years old, Cheng is the second woman to lead the KMT since the party adopted direct elections for its chairmanship. The first was Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱), who won the by-election in 2016.

In her victory speech, Cheng highlighted the KMT's future external stance, saying:

"We must uphold three major principles: First, Taiwan must not become a troublemaker. Second, Taiwan must not become a victim of geopolitics. Third, the KMT will take responsibility and actively serve as a peacemaker for regional stability. This is our solemn commitment to the international community and our three most important principles."

Cheng also stated that during her term, she would work to "regain full governing power, achieve a change of ruling party, and realize the mission of peaceful cross-strait co-prosperity and co-existence by 2028."

Cheng says she is willing to visit China and meet Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), sent a congratulatory telegram on Oct. 19 to congratulate Cheng on her election victory.

The message stated that for years, the KMT and CCP have "promoted cross-strait exchanges and cooperation on the common political foundation of upholding the '1992 Consensus' and opposing Taiwan independence, committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and enhancing kinship and well-being between people on both sides — with positive results."

Taiwan sees itself as a self-ruled democracy, but China views the island as a breakaway province and has vowed to reunify it—by force if necessary.

Xi expressed hope that the CCP and the KMT would continue to uphold this "common political foundation," unite the broader Taiwan community, strengthen "the ambition, integrity, and confidence to be Chinese," deepen exchanges and cooperation, pursue common development, and advance national reunification.

Replying to Beijing, the KMT stated: "In 1992, both sides of the Strait reached a consensus to verbally express adherence to the one-China principle in their respective formulations. On the shared political foundation of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, the KMT and CCP have promoted the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, achieving many historic accomplishments — not an easy task.”

The KMT's statement added, "both sides should further strengthen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait on the existing basis."

In a radio interview on Oct. 20, Cheng was asked about cross-strait relations and the possibility of visiting China.

Cheng said cross-strait peace is the KMT's top priority. Cheng said she wanted to build the widest possible consensus among the Taiwanese people before any visit to China.

She said that without strong public support, a trip would only reflect her personal stance, she added.

When asked if she would meet Xi Jinping, Cheng replied, "Of course." 

"If it can help resolve cross-strait contradictions and differences and promote peace and cooperation, I am willing to do any work and meet anyone," she added.


Is being pro-China still a viable option in Taiwan's politics?

Professor Tu Sheng-tsung (杜聖聰), chair of the Department of Radio and Television at Ming Chuan University, told TCN that Taiwan's politics has long been hypersensitive to appearing to be pro-China.

Tu said that from 2016 to 2024, especially under the rule of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), being labeled as "pro-China" had become an almost insurmountable political taboo.

However, Tu suggested that four developments in 2025 have made it possible to be pro-China again:

"First, natural disasters devastated traditional DPP strongholds, and the government's delayed response loosened what were once iron-clad voting blocs.

"Second, while Taiwanese users of mainland social platforms such as Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Xiaohongshu may not directly consume political content, long-term exposure produces a subtle form of influence.

"Third, the nature of US support for Taiwan has shifted, from a broad rescue narrative to one of pressure or containment, leading some citizens to wonder why Taiwan should not pursue friendlier engagement with the mainland.

Lastly, the major recall case in July forced both DPP and non-DPP voters to consolidate and integrate, resulting in renewed cohesion among non-DPP supporters. These factors form the backdrop for the re-emergence of the pro-China position into electoral competition," he said.

Professor Fang Kai-hung (方凱弘) from the Department of Public Policy and Management at Taiwan's Shih Hsin University told TCN that the traditional framing of cross-strait choices has been "unification versus independence."

Fang said the real test is whether the KMT, under Cheng's leadership, can reframe the binary into one between a "peaceful status quo" and "war or forced unification."

Commenting on Cheng's three external-relations principles, Fang said, "Peace is likely to become the central theme of Cheng Li-wen's cross-strait discourse."

Fang noted the decisive role of the United States.

"Cross-strait peace may not align with how Washington positions Taiwan within the US–China rivalry. Given the pro-US tilt of Taiwan's public opinion, US messaging and actions could weaken,  or even obstruct, Cheng Li-wen's efforts to cultivate cross-strait goodwill and peace, potentially creating a dilemma for her," he said.

“Rather than judging the KMT’s handling of the US–China–Taiwan triangle under Cheng Li-wen, perhaps the more important task is to observe how Cheng manages and articulates cross-strait relations and Taiwan–US relations separately, and whether she can carve out room to articulate and shape cross-strait peace through differentiated management of those two bilateral relationships,” he added.