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Taiwan
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SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Taiwan Kuomintang leader’s visit to mainland China gives reason for hope

While the KMT is not in power, Cheng’s visit at President Xi’s invitation can still contribute to cross-strait understanding

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Kuomintang chairperson Cheng Li-wun speaks to the media in Taipei on March 30, ahead of her trip to mainland China. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
Cheng Li-wun will be the first sitting chairperson of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to visit the mainland since Hung Hsiu-chu nearly 10 years ago. The announcement of the trip, from April 7 to 12, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, comes at a sensitive time in cross-strait relations, with four American senators arriving in Taiwan to promote arms sales opposed by Beijing, and Xi expected to host a summit with President Donald Trump next month.

Xi’s invitation to Cheng, elected KMT chairperson less than six months ago, follows positive signals from the opposition leader in Taiwan. Cheng has reasserted unequivocal support for the one-China principle and opposition to independence, clearly setting the KMT under her leadership apart from the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party.

While the KMT has been out of government for 10 years, Cheng’s visit can still be meaningful for cross-strait communications and understanding. That the invitation comes from Xi personally, in his capacity as head of the Communist Party, speaks volumes.

Song Tao, head of Beijing’s Taiwan Work Office, said the party central committee and the general secretary would welcome Cheng’s visit to Jiangsu province, Shanghai and Beijing to “promote the peaceful development of relations between the Communist Party and Kuomintang as well as across the Taiwan Strait”.

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