Taiwan opposition leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping

Taiwan opposition leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping

Taiwan’s main opposition party leader has reached mainland China, setting the stage for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. This trip, spanning six days across Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, marks a notable shift in cross-strait dynamics. Cheng Li-wun, newly appointed chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT), expressed her willingness to embrace the invitation, aiming to act as a “bridge for peace.” Her visit is the KMT’s first by an incumbent chief in over a decade.

Since the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Tsai Ing-wen assumed the presidency in May 2016, Beijing has reduced communication channels with Taiwan, citing her stance on the single Chinese nation. China maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province destined to reunite with the mainland, though it has not ruled out military action to achieve this. Meanwhile, many Taiwanese identify as a sovereign nation, yet most support the status quo—neither formal independence nor unification.

“Beijing wants a cordial meeting with Taiwan’s opposition to undermine the argument for US-Taiwan defence cooperation,” says Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University’s Taiwan Centre.

Cheng’s trip coincides with mounting scrutiny of the U.S. in Taiwan, driven by Donald Trump’s inconsistent signals on regional policy and the Middle East conflict. William Yang, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, notes that Cheng’s visit is seen as a chance to position herself as a leader capable of fostering cross-strait dialogue and easing tensions. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier, despite its formal ties to Beijing. Recent statements by Trump, calling for Taiwan to reimburse the U.S. for defending against China, have sparked debate.

Taiwan’s ruling DPP criticized Cheng’s itinerary, claiming it would be “completely controlled” by the Communist Party. The party accused Beijing of being the “main culprit in disrupting regional peace,” highlighting its ongoing military activities near Taiwan. Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasized the government’s vigilance over the visit, which comes weeks before Trump’s planned visit to Beijing on 14 and 15 May.

For Cheng and the KMT, the trip may offer political gains ahead of upcoming local elections. Despite her early advocacy for Taiwanese independence, she has increasingly positioned herself as a peace builder. Analysts suggest she is seeking to balance U.S. and Chinese interests, while downplaying the shortcomings of her party’s current leadership. However, political scientist Chong Ja-Ian from the National University of Singapore argues that Cheng’s alignment with Beijing has eroded public trust.

“Many do read Cheng as a fair-weather politician, an opportunist with little principle,” Chong says. “That is a reason why the polls show little confidence in her. ‘Who this benefits, and how much, are the bigger questions.'”