Cheng Li-wun, a prominent opposition leader, sets out for China for peace-building efforts

(SeaPRwire) –   Cheng Li-wun, known for her anti-independence views, will be the first Kuomintang party chair to visit the mainland in ten years

The head of Taiwan’s primary opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is making a trip to mainland China—this marks the first visit of its kind since 2016. Cheng Li-wun, a prominent critic of Taiwan’s potential independence, was invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping for a mission she has called a peace-building effort.

Taiwan effectively became a self-governing region after Chinese nationalist forces were defeated in the civil war against the communists and retreated to the island in 1949. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory under the One China policy, a position recognized by most countries around the world.

Cheng’s visit will begin on Tuesday and is scheduled to end on Sunday, with the KMT chairperson heading a party delegation. She has expressed her hope to meet Xi in person as part of her quest for “cross-strait peace and stability.”

In an interview with NBC News before her trip, Cheng stated that “in Taiwan, we must do everything in our power to prevent a war in the Taiwan Strait,” adding that she does not want the island to “become the next Ukraine.”

At the end of last month, the opposition leader also noted that the “entire world follows the ‘one China’ policy and does not support Taiwanese independence, including [our] long-time ally, the US.”

Once a passionate pro-independence activist in her younger years, Cheng shifted her views later in life and was elected KMT chairperson in November of last year.

Although the KMT has promoted closer economic links and cultural interactions with mainland China for years, its new leader seems to have strengthened her commitment to this position.

“For the safety, well-being, and future of 23 million people, we must jointly demonstrate the utmost sincerity and goodwill to resolve cross-strait differences,” she has maintained.

Cheng has also criticized Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s drive to boost military spending, and KMT legislators have blocked the approval of a $39 billion defense bill in the legislature.

“If cross-strait relations are peaceful and stable, we don’t need a pointless arms race,” Cheng has stated.