Recently, Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen led a delegation to China on what she claimed was a “peace trip” and met Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
In response, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stated at the Democratic Progressive Party’s Central Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 15th that “peace cannot be achieved through compromising and conceding sovereignty, by placing Taiwan within the ‘One China’ framework, or by aligning with an authoritarian regime. Packaging unification under the banner of peace not only goes against public opinion but will also bring endless consequences for Taiwan.”
Packaging unification as peace will bring endless consequences for Taiwan
According to a report by Sanli News Network, on April 15, the Democratic Progressive Party held a Central Executive Committee meeting. After the meeting, party spokesperson Wu Zheng relayed Lai Ching-te’s remarks. In his speech, Lai said that regarding the recent KMT–CCP talks held in Beijing, he wished to express the following views.
He noted that love, peace, and nonviolence are the founding principles of the Democratic Progressive Party, and peace is also the highest goal pursued by the DPP government. “However, I want to emphasize once again: we should have ideals about peace, but we must not have illusions.”
Lai stressed, “Peace is not achieved by compromising and conceding sovereignty, placing Taiwan within the ‘One China’ framework, or walking alongside an authoritarian regime. Packaging unification as peace not only violates public opinion but will also bring endless future troubles to Taiwan.”
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Lai Ching-te pointed out, “The Republic of China (Taiwan) is founded on freedom, democracy, and human rights. These are also shared values with the democratic world, as well as the common political foundation for cooperation, development, and the creation of peace.”
As the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government approaches its 10th year in power, Lai stated that Taiwan’s thriving development over the past decade proves that breaking away from the “One China” framework and moving toward the global community is the correct path—and the future that the people of Taiwan seek.
“The KMT–CCP forum has concluded. We hope the opposition parties will promptly review and pass the general budget and strengthen the special national defense provisions.”
The “Zheng–Xi meeting” was held on the 10th, coinciding with the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act. On that day, Lai posted on social media, stating: “We hold ideals about peace, but not unrealistic fantasies. History tells us that compromising with authoritarian regimes comes at the cost of sovereignty and democracy—it will not bring freedom, nor will it bring peace.”
He added that peace must rely on strength, and strength must come from long-term, steady investment. Taiwan must demonstrate its determination for self-defense in order to gain support from allies. However, related budgets have continued to be stalled in the Legislative Yuan, which is regrettable.
The ‘1992 Consensus’ is ‘a poison of annexation, not a remedy for peace’
Regarding the Zheng–Xi meeting, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng stated that the “1992 Consensus” is “a poison of annexation, not a remedy for peace.”
According to a report by the Central News Agency, Chiu Chui-cheng said in an interview on the 14th with POP Radio’s program POP Hit News, hosted by Huang Wei-han, that during Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen’s meeting with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, the statement “1992 Consensus, oppose Taiwan independence” was discussed.
Huang Wei-han, a prominent Taiwanese media person asked that in Xi Jinping’s 2019 speech marking the 40th anniversary of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, Xi Jinping had already clearly defined the “1992 Consensus,” stating that the ultimate political arrangement would be a “One Country, Two Systems” solution for Taiwan. Therefore, after 2019, the “1992 Consensus” has effectively become a consensus for eliminating the Republic of China—yet Cheng Li-wen still met with Xi under this premise.
In response, Chiu Chui-cheng said that even under the traditional Kuomintang interpretation of the “1992 Consensus,” Cheng should have insisted on the idea of “one China, different interpretations,” expressing it as the Republic of China. “Did she make that effort? No—she completely echoed the mainland’s position of ‘one China, same interpretation.’”
Chiu also expressed regret that Cheng did not push for “no preset political preconditions.” He said the government could not possibly accept negotiating the ten Taiwan-related measures under predetermined political conditions across the Taiwan Strait. “That would amount to eliminating the Republic of China—there’s no way we can accept such conditions.”
Chiu stated bluntly, “Chairwoman Cheng has blindly echoed the Chinese Communist Party’s narrative and retreated on her own position. By taking the ‘1992 Consensus’ as the precondition for dialogue with the CCP, she is endorsing the CCP’s intention to eliminate the Republic of China. So this is a poison of annexation, not a remedy for peace.”
Regarding the “opposition to Taiwan independence,” Chiu pointed out that from Beijing’s perspective, any statements or actions that advocate for non-subordination across the Taiwan Strait, uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of China, reject “One Country, Two Systems,” or otherwise fail to align with its Taiwan policy, will be labeled as “Taiwan independence.”
“The CCP’s definition of opposing Taiwan independence is to make you accept that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China—it seeks to eliminate the Republic of China and annex Taiwan,” Chiu said.
By Li Jingyao
