Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for renewed efforts toward “reunification” with Taiwan following the recent election of Cheng Li-wun as the new leader of the island’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). Cheng’s election, which took place on October 1, 2023, comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and Beijing, which regards the self-governing island as part of its territory.
In a message addressed to Cheng, Xi emphasized the need for both parties to strengthen their “common political foundation.” The Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi stated the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party should work together to unite the majority of people in Taiwan. He urged the parties to deepen exchanges and cooperation, enhance common development, and promote national reunification.
Cheng’s response did not explicitly endorse Xi’s call for union with China. Instead, she emphasized that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are “members of the Chinese nation,” a term that refers to ethnicity rather than political identity. She highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to promote peace and stability in the region.
While the KMT suffered a loss in the presidential election last year, the party, along with its ally, the small Taiwan People’s Party, currently holds the most seats in the Taiwanese parliament. Cheng, 55, won the leadership vote against the KMT establishment candidate, former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin. Cheng has expressed opposition to increasing Taiwan’s defense spending, a key component of the current administration’s policies under President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Accusations of Chinese interference marred the KMT’s election campaign. A key supporter of Hau’s candidacy, Jaw Shau-kong, claimed that disinformation was spread on social media to undermine Hau’s chances. In a statement, Jaw emphasized that the KMT must recognize that elections are conducted in Taiwan, not influenced by mainland China.
Responding to the allegations, Beijing maintained that the election was a matter for the KMT and that online comments did not reflect an official stance. Following the election, DPP spokesperson Justin Wu remarked on the evident signs of Chinese interference, which the KMT dismissed.
The political landscape in Taiwan remains complex as the KMT continues to navigate its relationship with China while addressing domestic concerns. The implications of Cheng’s leadership and the KMT’s stance on cross-Strait relations will be closely monitored in the coming months, as tensions between Taiwan and Beijing persist.
