Taiwan Strait peace: Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun says defence stands, secession should be shelved

Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly opposition leader Cheng Li-wun said the Kuomintang Party backed defending the island. Cheng said lasting peace was possible if permanent secession was removed. Cheng spoke during a Washington visit amid strain in U.S.-Taiwan ties. China views Taiwan as its territory. China has said force remained an option for what China calls reunification.

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Cheng said the Kuomintang found overlap with President Donald Trump on avoiding conflict. Cheng referred to Trump’s comments after a May Beijing trip. Trump said he was not looking to have somebody go independent. Trump also said he did not want a distant war. Cheng said the shared goal was stability in the Taiwan Strait.

U.S.-Taiwan relations and arms sales package

Cheng said, "I think our basic stances are the same - that is peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to avoid any unnecessary war.\" Cheng spoke after a three-day stay in Washington. Cheng said American lawmakers and scholars were met. Cheng also said Trump administration representatives were met. Cheng did not provide more details.

Cheng’s trip was part of a two-week U.S. visit to explain Kuomintang policy. The timing matched growing uncertainty in U.S.-Taiwan relations. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has warned of a clash. Xi said the U.S. must handle Taiwan properly. Beijing has vowed to seize Taiwan by force if needed.

U.S. lawmakers have pushed to strengthen Taiwan’s defences through weapons sales. Congress gave preliminary approval to a $14 billion arms sales package. The Trump administration has not yet approved it. In December, the Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms sales package to Taiwan. U.S. law requires providing hardware to deter invasion.

Xi Jinping, One China principle and Taiwan Strait dialogue

Cheng met Xi in Beijing in April and has promoted talks with Beijing. The Kuomintang agrees both sides belong to the same Chinese nation. Cheng said dialogue was needed for regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Official Beijing-Taipei contact has been blocked for a decade. Beijing cited Taiwan’s ruling party position on the One China principle.

Cheng said, \"To initiate the dialogue cross-strait with Xi Jinping doesnt mean that we will give up the deterrence strength in Taiwan, and, of course, it doesnt mean that we will compromise or give up our democracy and freedom,\" and rejected claims of serving Beijing’s aims. Cheng called Xi very gentle and very nice and very real. Cheng said Xi wanted peaceful means and to avoid war.

Taiwan’s government has pointed to Beijing’s more aggressive Taiwan Strait actions. Taiwan cited frequent military operations around the island in recent years. The U.S. recognises Beijing’s view that Taiwan is part of China. Washington opposes using force to change the status quo. Trump has signalled openness to speaking with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan defense budget and Democratic Progressive Party debate

Washington has been disappointed by a smaller defence plan passed last month. Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature approved a $25 billion special defence budget. It was reduced from Lai’s original $40 billion plan. On Friday, Cheng said the Kuomintang opposed the first proposal. Cheng said it lacked detail and looked like a blank cheque.

Cheng said the party offered an interim measure to prioritise U.S. weapons purchases. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, met Cheng on Thursday. Sullivan wrote online that the Kuomintang should work with the Democratic Progressive Party. Sullivan also urged support for the Alaska LNG project. The post linked defence budgeting with broader cooperation.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., met Cheng on Wednesday and issued concerns. Suozzi said resistance to a strong defence budget raised doubts. Suozzi said it suggested drifting closer to the ruling Chinese party. Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., met Cheng on Wednesday. Rose said support for Taiwan’s sovereignty and U.S.-Taiwan relations continued.

Cheng’s visit highlighted competing approaches on managing cross-strait risk and defence spending. The Kuomintang said dialogue could reduce tensions without weakening deterrence. U.S. lawmakers remained focused on budgets, weapons purchases, and regional security. Beijing continued to oppose moves seen as supporting Taiwan’s separate status. The Trump administration still has not approved the $14 billion package.

With inputs from PTI