Taiwan's Political Tensions Rise Amid KMT Chairwoman's China Visit
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun to resist China's strategies after she accepted President Xi Jinping's invitation to visit. Concerns grow over China leveraging her visit ahead of a US summit while Taiwan's defense budget discussions face opposition delays.
- Country:
- Taiwan
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has called for a strong response from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun regarding the pressures and coercion exerted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Taiwan. This comes as Cheng is set to visit China following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a Taipei Times report.
Both the KMT and China's state-owned Xinhua news agency confirmed her acceptance of the invite, sparking concern from the MAC over the CCP's consistent aim to abolish the Republic of China (ROC) and annex Taiwan. The council emphasized that no political negotiation with China should occur without official endorsement from Taiwanese authorities.
The Political tension escalates as Cheng's visit coincides with a proposed NT$1.25 trillion defense budget facing delays in the Legislative Yuan. Observers worry that Beijing might leverage Cheng's presence as a bargaining tool ahead of Xi's planned meeting with US President Donald Trump. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has criticized the KMT-led legislative resistance, insisting on Taiwan's independent status.
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