Reports indicate that the long-suspended “KMT-CCP Forum” may be revived this year, and may take place in Beijing from Jan. 27 to 29, with KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen (Xiao Xucen) expected to lead a delegation. The news has drawn widespread attention and controversy in domestic politics. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has openly criticized the move, stating that the KMT-CCP Forum has long served as a key platform for the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) United Front operations targeting Taiwan.
The DPP argues that the KMT, through repeated actions, has confirmed external concerns by willingly cooperating with CCP political arrangements in exchange for “entry tickets,” seriously diverging from Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion and national interests.
According to media reports, the newly elected KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen plans to restart the forum, which observers see as an important party initiative to strengthen cross-strait exchanges, potentially paving the way for a future meeting with CCP leader Xi Jinping (the so-called “Cheng-Xi meeting”). Cheng has remained low-key about the plans, stating only that “there will be a public statement tomorrow,” without providing further details.
KMT position: dialogue reduces risk of conflict
Regarding the forum’s rumored revival, KMT spokesperson and legislator Niu Xu-ting said that given rapidly changing international situations and geopolitical risks, maintaining channels for dialogue can help reduce miscalculations and conflict. If the forum resumes, it should be approached with an open attitude. Niu emphasized that dialogue is not one-sided toward the CCP but is a strategy to prevent tensions from escalating.
Former Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-ping also commented that exchanges like this forum could help ease cross-strait tensions and have a positive effect on both elections and cross-strait relations, though he himself is not aware of the specific arrangements.
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DPP and opposition concerns: ‘selling out Taiwan for entry tickets?’
The DPP has strongly criticized the plan. DPP spokesperson Li Kun-cheng said that the KMT-CCP Forum has long been seen as a CCP platform for United Front operations targeting Taiwan. Under the current military intimidation and diplomatic pressure from the CCP, the KMT’s eagerness for dialogue risks diverging from Taiwan’s mainstream public opinion and national interests.
Li further stated that the CCP recently released a so-called “list of punished nationals,” attempting to create a chilling effect within Taiwan and directly threatening the safety of citizens. However, the KMT has not firmly defended national sovereignty. Instead, together with the Taiwan People’s Party in the legislature, it has repeatedly blocked the central government’s budget six times and obstructed the special defense budget for self-defense. By siding with the CCP while hindering domestic defense development, the KMT provides no benefit to national security.
Li emphasized that under ongoing CCP pressure on Taiwan, the KMT-CCP Forum is no longer simply an exchange platform but a key CCP United Front tool. By promoting the forum now and sending political signals, the KMT deepens public doubts about its stance and diverges from mainstream Taiwanese opinion. He urged the KMT not to cooperate with CCP political arrangements and to avoid making Taiwan’s sovereignty and security a political bargaining chip.
DPP Policy Committee Executive Wu Si-yao also questioned whether the KMT is trading repeated blocks of military budgets for cross-strait exchange opportunities, warning of potential further exchanges of interests. She called on the KMT to prioritize public welfare and national security budgets rather than being overly focused on cross-strait relations.
Testing the waters for a ‘Cheng-Xi meeting?’
Taipei City councilor and former KMT-turned-DPP member candidate Gao Yang-kai bluntly stated: “The KMT is beyond saving!” He emphasized, “Voting for the KMT is inviting the wolf into the house—it’s a vote for the CCP!”
On Facebook, Gao noted that just after the CCP tested missiles in the Taiwan Strait and dispatched military aircraft and ships to harass Taiwan, the KMT hurried to portray itself as “close to the CCP.” He criticized the KMT for not daring to speak out against the CCP while planning to restart the KMT-CCP Forum, effectively echoing CCP United Front narratives—“this is basically paying tribute!”
Gao called on the KMT: “Do not forget the 23 million people of Taiwan. Do not use blocking defense budgets as a sacrifice to pave the way for Cheng Li-wen and the KMT!” He reiterated that Taiwanese must recognize who is pushing Taiwan into danger: “Voting for the KMT is inviting the wolf into the house—it’s a vote for the CCP! We must unite to defend Taiwan’s democracy and freedom and firmly reject this kind of sellout behavior!”
Regarding whether the forum’s revival is a preliminary test for a potential Cheng-Xi meeting, Cheng Li-wen, attending the “Happy Enterprise Awards Ceremony” on Jan. 9, only said that “there will be a public statement tomorrow” and, citing lack of time, quickly entered the venue without responding further to media questions.
