By Joy Chiang
The leader of Taiwan’s largest opposition party said Monday she hoped to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and build a “bridge” to resolve disputes between China and the democratic island, which Beijing has threatened to occupy by force.
Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, but Beijing insists the self-governing island of more than 23 million people is part of its territory and uses military pressure to assert its claim to sovereignty.
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Cheng Li-wun, who has been a fierce critic of President Lai Ching-te’s government since taking office in November, has insisted on meeting Xi before she makes an official trip to the United States.
While the KMT has long supported closer ties with Beijing, Cheng has been accused by Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of doing Beijing’s bidding by blocking the government’s defense spending plans.
There are concerns within the KMT that a Cheng-Xi meeting could trigger a voter backlash in Taiwan’s county elections later this year.
But speaking to foreign media on Monday, Cheng said the talks with Xi would have “significant symbolic meaning” and could be a “foundation” for peaceful relations across the Taiwan Strait.
“I don’t believe that a single meeting can solve all the issues that have accumulated for almost a century,” Cheng said.
“But… I hope I can successfully build such a bridge.”
While Cheng has expressed confidence that a meeting with Xi will happen, there has been no confirmation from Beijing.
Cheng’s remarks came as Taiwan’s parliament began considering rival proposals for special defense spending aimed at boosting the island’s military capabilities against a possible Chinese attack.
Lai’s government has proposed NT$1.25 trillion ($39 billion) in spending on critical defense purchases, including US weapons, while the KMT wants to allocate NT$380 billion for US weapons with the option for more purchases.
While the KMT supported stronger defense, Cheng said that more military spending alone would not achieve peace with China.
“There must also be political effort. Political effort is… the key,” Cheng said.
China cut off high-level communications with Taiwan in 2016 after Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, who also belongs to the Democratic Progressive Party, took power.
Chinese leaders loathe Lai, whom Beijing calls a “separatist”.
Cheng said her push for closer ties with China did not come at the expense of the United States, which is Taiwan’s biggest arms supplier.
Lawmakers in Washington have been critical of Taiwan’s opposition parties for blocking the government’s defense spending bill.
“The KMT has long had very good relations with the United States, and improving our relations with the mainland (China) will not affect that,” Cheng said.
“We don’t need to choose one or the other.”
