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SCMP Reporters

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), spoke to the press in Beijing at 2.22pm on Friday, hours after her historic meeting with Communist Party chief Xi Jinping.
It was the first meeting between leaders of the two parties in nine years after then-KMT chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu visited the mainland in November 2016.
During the meeting on Friday morning, both Xi and Cheng highlighted a message of peace across the strait.
“Compatriots on both sides are both Chinese, and we need peace, we need development, we need communication, and we need cooperation. This is a common wish,” Xi told Cheng.
In response, Cheng went further, calling for an “institutional solution” to avoid war and keep peace, and seeking a mechanism for cooperation and dialogue.
More from our coverage:
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-Peace is a common wish, Xi Jinping tells Taiwan’s opposition leader Cheng Li-wun
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Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), speaks at a press conference in Beijing, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

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China

Politics

KMT leader calls for an ‘institutional solution’ to avoid war and keep peace, and seeks a mechanism for cooperation and dialogue


KMT leader calls for an ‘institutional solution’ to avoid war and keep peace, and seeks a mechanism for cooperation and dialogue.


Cheng Li-wun

Xi Jinping

Kuomintang

Live

Cheng’s press conference starts at 2.22pm, just before the scheduled 2.30pm start time. She prepares for the event by reviewing documents. Dozens of mainland Chinese, Taiwanese and foreign press are on site early awaiting the event.



Press conference starts

Cheng thanks Beijing for arranging her trip. She describes the meeting as candid and frank, showing an expectation by both sides of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
The Kuomintang (KMT) leader says proposals were made, including reviving consultations on both sides.


‘Candid and frank’ meeting

Cheng says people on both sides of the strait can believe that the peaceful development of the two sides of the strait is full of optimistic possibilities.
“Today, we have successfully taken this step,” she says.
Cheng proposes three points of cooperation: safeguard Chinese history and promote Chinese culture; improve common well-being and promote exchanges and cooperation; and strive for better cross-strait ties and strengthening people’s livelihood.


3 points for better ties

Cheng says the differences between the two sides of the strait should be resolved through patience and that “everything can be discussed”.
She also mentions Xi told her Beijing respects Taiwan’s unique lifestyle and system, but also hopes Taiwanese people recognise the mainland’s achievements and developments.



‘Everything can be discussed’

Cheng’s visit comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with the People’s Liberation Army sending signals around the island almost daily with the aim of deterring the ruling independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party.
But Beijing says peaceful reunification with the island remains the preferred option.
Cheng’s trip also comes just over a month before the expected visit to Beijing by US President Donald Trump in May.


At the Xi-Trump summit, all eyes will be on whether the issue of Taiwan is raised. Beijing has repeatedly warned Washington to exercise caution around the subject, including on the issue of arms sales to Taiwan.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
Back home, Cheng’s trip has drawn scrutiny from the ruling DPP, which said the visit could be used to influence the KMT’s stance on defence policy, weaken Taiwan’s security posture and damage Taiwan’s relationship with the US.


Trump visit looms

Cheng says the only political basis of cross-strait dialogue is the 1992 consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence.
She says Xi told her that the 1992 talks made the meaning of the 1992 Consensus clear, and quotes him as saying that unless a person is “very dark-hearted and deliberately pretends to be confused”, the person should not be unaware of the real meaning of the 1992 Consensus.




1992 consensus

Cheng says, “I hope that no political party in Taiwan uses cross-strait peace as a tool” to get votes.
She adds that this matters “because this is the choice of war and peace”.


‘Choice of war and peace’

Cheng says that at this great time in history, “we must make the right choice”.
No matter how turbulent the world and cross-strait conditions may be, “we will walk firmly”.


Time for ‘right choice’

Cheng frames the KMT-Communist Party dialogue as a historical responsibility to avert war and ensure cross-strait peace.
She says that while the KMT is taking the initial step to de-escalate tensions, the door remains open for all parties to engage in similar dialogue, provided they prioritise regional stability over the “selfish interests” of a single political entity.


Go beyond ‘selfish interests’

Cheng looks well prepared for the press conference and speaks firmly about her position. She sometimes refers to prepared materials while speaking.



Cheng’s confident style

Asked by NBC about whether Xi and Cheng have the same goal of peaceful reunification, Cheng emphasises a pragmatic, “step-by-step” approach to cross-strait relations rooted in shared national identity rather than immediate political fusion.
She highlights that while social systems and lifestyles might differ – a point she notes that Xi acknowledged – these differences should not lead to conflict or severing the “shared blood” [kinship] linking the two sides.


‘Step-by-step’ approach

Cheng praises the lunch she attended with Xi today and says he was considerate in introducing her to a Fujian dish of sea clams.
She adds that the dish was the same as what US president Richard Nixon ate during his landmark visit to the mainland in 1972.



Nixon parallel?

Cheng frames the individual successes of both sides of the strait as “collective achievements of the Chinese nation” and advocates for a relationship built on mutual respect and reciprocal learning.
“There are many differences, but the achievements of Taiwan and the mainland today are the great achievements of the Chinese nation.”
“We appreciate each other, respect each other and even learn from each other.”


‘We appreciate each other’

Cheng says an institutionalised peace framework requires joint efforts by both sides.
But she adds the KMT would need to regain power in Taiwan to see the realisation of such a framework.
Cheng voices hope that Xi could visit Taiwan if the KMT were to win the island’s next leadership election, which is due to take place in 2028.


Xi in Taiwan?

Cheng says she has had not any exchanges with Xi about the Xi-Trump summit expected to happen later this month.
However, she describes Xi as having responded favourably to her appeal regarding Taiwan’s participation in the activities of international organisations.


International issues

Cheng suggests she does not need to sell Taiwan for such a meeting with Xi to take place.
“Taiwan can shake hands without sacrificing anything,” she adds.
Cheng says there are voices on the island fearful that “we might successfully secure peace”.


However, this is not an unattainable goal, she adds.
“As long as we simply adhere to the 1992 consensus and oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ cross-strait exchanges can proceed with ease.”
The consensus states that both sides of the strait belong to one China and work together to strive for national unification.
The press conference finishes at 3.01pm.


No ‘sacrificing anything’

For the main takeaways from Cheng Li-wun’s 40-minute press conference in Beijing today, click here.


Top takeaways

Cheng hopeful to invite Xi Jinping to Taiwan if the KMT wins 2028 election – as it happened

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}KMT leader calls for an ‘institutional solution’ to avoid war and keep peace, and seeks a mechanism for cooperation and dialogue

KMT leader calls for an ‘institutional solution’ to avoid war and keep peace, and seeks a mechanism for cooperation and dialogue