Rare: Taiwan Opposition Leader Visits China, What's Going On?

Kuomintang (KMT) opposition leader from Taiwan, Cheng Li-wun, was in Nanjing in eastern China on Wednesday (08/04) for a visit laden with historical symbolism.

Viewed as a supporter of closer relations with Beijing, Cheng is the first KMT leader to visit China in the past decade. This visit comes amid tensions with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whose leadership is not recognised by Beijing.

Cheng was invited to China by President Xi Jinping in March. Upon accepting the invitation, Cheng said he hoped to meet Xi, although no such meeting has been officially announced.

Beijing regards Taiwan, which has its own government, as a breakaway province that will one day “reunify” with mainland China. China also strongly opposes any political moves towards “independence” for Taiwan.

Historical weight of the visit

The split between China and Taiwan stems from the Chinese civil war. Nanjing was once the capital of the Republic of China government led by the KMT before that government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing to the communists led by Mao Zedong, who then founded the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan’s official name remains the Republic of China to this day.

On Wednesday (8/4), Cheng visited the mausoleum of KMT founder Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing, a figure revered both in Taiwan and on the mainland.

Sun is regarded as a revolutionary figure in China and credited with overthrowing the last imperial dynasty in 1912, paving the way for the revolution later led by Mao. In Taiwan, Sun is officially called the “father of the nation.”

Cheng said the KMT has honoured Sun’s founding principles by making Taiwan a democratic society. He also acknowledged the 38 years of martial law imposed by the KMT until 1987, a period known as the “White Terror.”

“Likewise on the mainland, we have also seen and witnessed progress and development that exceeds everyone’s expectations and imagination,” he added.

Cross-strait tensions escalate

China cut off high-level contacts with Taiwan in 2016 after Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP won the presidential election and openly rejected Beijing’s claims over the island.

Since then, cross-strait relations have continued to deteriorate. Chinese President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of military force to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s direct control. China also routinely conducts large-scale military exercises around Taiwan using fighter jets and warships, sometimes simulating blockades of the island.

Beijing also refuses to speak with Taiwan’s current President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a “separatist.”

KMT leader calls for “peace”

In his statement on Wednesday (8/4), Cheng sought to ease tensions. “Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are not destined to go to war as the international community fears,” he said. “I hope that today we plant the seeds of peace not only for the Chinese people on both sides of the strait but also for all of humanity.”

He added that both parties must work together to promote reconciliation and unity on both sides of the strait and create regional prosperity and peace.

Meanwhile in Taipei, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau head Tsai Ming-yen said China uses military intimidation and pressure to create an atmosphere of threat of conflict.

“This is intended to make Taiwanese society feel psychological pressure and anxiety about the possibility of conflict,” he said.

He added that the strategy also aims to divide Taiwanese society and hinder the government’s efforts to continue purchasing weapons from the United States.

Ruling party criticises KMT’s China visit

Amid Cheng’s visit to China, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng said if the KMT truly wants to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait, they should stop blocking the additional $40 billion (approximately Rp640 trillion) defence budget in parliament.

“Peace never comes from the generosity of dictators; peace must be maintained by Taiwan’s own strength,” he said.

President Lai Ching-te’s government also said Cheng should convey to Beijing officials, including President Xi if they meet, that China must stop its military aggression and respect the Taiwanese people’s right to determine their own future.