Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Cheng Li-wen is currently visiting the United States, where several incidents in Washington and New York have reportedly drawn significant public attention and criticism.
One such incident took place on June 8 when Cheng attended a discussion hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute. A man identifying himself as being from mainland China interrupted the event, declaring that “China is a dictatorship” and “Xi Jinping is a dictator.” Security personnel subsequently escorted him from the venue, while Cheng reportedly responded with an awkward smile, according to a report by Upmedia.
Taiwanese internet personality Ba Jiong (八炯) shared a video clip of the incident on social media and commented that Cheng’s U.S. speaking tour had “gone off the rails again,” claiming that she was criticized by a Chinese attendee and did not respond to the challenge.
According to Ba Jiong, many audience members were “Little Pinks” (a term commonly used for Chinese nationalist internet users) and KMT supporters who were sympathetic to Xi Jinping. He also questioned why there was no Republic of China (Taiwan) flag displayed at the event. He added that a second video would be released later, describing the situation as “really outrageous.”
The video reportedly showed the protesting man wearing a white T-shirt. Printed on the back of the shirt were the words:
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“Embrace the Communist Party, and Taiwan will become Hong Kong.”
The man stood up and addressed Cheng, who was seated on the panel:
“I am from mainland China, and I have a question. Chair Cheng met with Chairman Xi. Why is Xi Jinping preparing to use force to take Taiwan? I’m from mainland China, and I know very clearly why—because China is a dictatorship, and Xi Jinping is a dictator.”
He then turned around to display the slogan on the back of his shirt and said in English:
“For you, remember.”
The atmosphere at the venue reportedly became tense and chaotic. Some audience members shouted at the man, saying “Shame on you!” and “No, stop!,” while others called on security personnel to intervene.
Security staff subsequently arrived, and the man appeared to have been escorted out of the venue. In response to the unexpected disruption, Cheng Li-wen did not directly address the man’s remarks. Instead, she reportedly smiled awkwardly and looked down while adjusting her clothing.
Netizens: The CCP seeks to eliminate Taiwan’s democracy
The incident sparked numerous reactions online expressing support for the self-identified Chinese man.
A commenter wrote: “Those in Taiwan who support the CCP need to wake up. Taiwan is a free and democratic country. Stop pushing free Taiwan toward the hell of communist dictatorship on the mainland. The word ‘communist’ should make that clear. If Taiwan were ruled by the mainland, Taiwanese people’s money would end up becoming China’s.”
Another commenter wrote: “Chinese people understand the dictatorship and brutality of the CCP regime, which is why many choose to emigrate to other countries. Those who know what kind of regime the CCP is already understand this. If you don’t believe it, why not go experience it for yourself? Between Taiwan and China, there is no ‘unification’—there is only the CCP’s unilateral attempt to invade Taiwan.”
Another netizen commented: “Chinese people who have left China understand the problems of the CCP regime firsthand. Their experiences demonstrate the darker and more repressive aspects of CCP rule. They also understand that the CCP’s ultimate goal is to eliminate the Republic of China and Taiwan’s democracy, because in recent years Beijing has repeatedly stated that there is only one China—the People’s Republic of China. The Kuomintang still hasn’t seen this clearly. It’s naïve, foolish, and tragic.”
Another commenter wrote: “When your political allies join forces with your adversaries to remove someone expressing a different opinion, you know they’re all part of the same camp. Taiwanese people are still absorbed in ideological struggles instead of taking stronger action against those they see as internal collaborators.”
Yet another netizen said: “Cheng Li-wen didn’t even protect the Chinese man who was telling the truth. Her reaction seemed very much like that of someone from the CCP. Suddenly, I found it quite frightening. It really feels as though some people in Taiwan’s Kuomintang have already been infiltrated.”
Another comment read: “If even half of China’s people were as clear-minded and courageous as he is—willing to face reality and speak the truth—then perhaps there would still be hope for China. Maybe one day it could move toward freedom, the rule of law, and democracy.”
Multiple controversies during US visit
According to several media reports, the confrontation at the lecture was only one of several incidents that drew attention during Cheng’s U.S. trip.
Before departing, Cheng had expressed hope of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump. However, reports later indicated that even U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune had not scheduled a meeting with her, leading critics to characterize her diplomatic outreach as unsuccessful.
During a closed-door discussion with scholars at the Hoover Institution, scholar Kharis Templeman reportedly said that U.S. observers were “highly skeptical” of the political assurances she was conveying. Commentators described the episode as a diplomatic setback.
In addition, media reports and critics highlighted photographs showing Cheng attending banquets alongside individuals alleged to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party’s united front system, including Yu Guoliang and Chiao Sheng-an, president of the New York Association for China’s Peaceful Unification.
During Cheng’s stay in New York, critics projected slogans such as “selling out Taiwan”onto buildings. Some accompanying KMT members allegedly misunderstood the display as a special welcome arranged by American hosts and posed for photographs, prompting ridicule online.
Cheng’s U.S. visit has generated substantial controversy and criticism within Taiwan’s political sphere and public discourse, with many observers arguing that the trip failed to achieve its intended objectives.
