Chinese President Xi Jinping swiftly sent congratulations after her election last month, calling for efforts to advance “reunification” in a message to her.
Some Chinese internet users refer to Cheng as the “reunification goddess”, although she said this week she had been given many monikers online, adding: “If they are wrong or untrue, just laugh it off.”
The KMT’s new Deputy Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen visited China this week and met Song Tao, head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
Cheng did not give any details of her policy towards China in her maiden speech as party leader, nor say whether she would visit, instead saying she would work for peace.
“The KMT will definitely be the party that opens a new era of cross-Strait peace and leads Taiwan forward,” she said.
Cheng also opposes higher defence spending, a key policy of President Lai Ching-te’s administration. The spending has strong US backing.
While the KMT lost the presidential election last year, the party and its ally, the small Taiwan People’s Party, together hold the most seats in parliament, creating a headache for the ruling DPP in trying to pass the budget and other legislation.
One of Cheng’s first tasks will be preparing for mayoral and local elections late next year. While mostly focusing on domestic issues, these will provide an important gauge of support ahead of the 2028 presidential vote.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/taiwan-new-opposition-leader-cheng-li-wun-takes-over-5439256
