Cheng Li-wen Leads Delegation to China: To Prove Cross-Strait Peace is Not Difficult for DPP

Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping invited Cheng Li-wen to lead a delegation to visit Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Beijing from the 7th to the 12th. Before departing from Songshan Airport this morning, Cheng Li-wen held a "2026 Peace Journey" press conference at the KMT headquarters, attended by several KMT legislators, including KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi.

Cheng Li-wen stated that with the international environment in turmoil, wars spreading, and people in fear, the Taiwan Strait has always been considered the most dangerous place. Since assuming the party chairmanship, she has repeatedly declared that the KMT not only protects the 23 million people of Taiwan but also has the responsibility to maintain regional peace. "We must ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait, and then the world will be peaceful," she said, adding that the KMT must seize every opportunity to expand the foundation for peace, hence today's departure from Taipei.

Regarding public doubts about the trip, Cheng Li-wen explained that it is based on goodwill and a positive starting point. Although she has not had the opportunity to meet and communicate with President Lai Ching-te since announcing the visit, she believes President Lai is closely monitoring the entire process. She believes that regardless of party affiliation or provincial origin, anyone who cares about and loves Taiwan would not want Taiwan to become a battlefield and would seize any opportunity to prevent Taiwan from being invaded by war, as preserving peace means preserving Taiwan.

Cheng Li-wen pointed out that goodwill needs to be accumulated, and mutual trust needs to be expanded repeatedly. This visit to mainland China aims to show the world that Taiwan is not unilaterally hoping for peace. Everyone hopes that through this peace journey, they will see the sincerity and determination of the CPC Central Committee to engage in peaceful dialogue and exchanges across the strait to resolve all possible differences.

Cheng Li-wen believes that while it is too late to avoid past wars and cross-strait tragedies, it is absolutely not too late to prevent future wars, sparing this generation and the next from being ravaged by war. The Kuomintang in Taiwan is taking a crucial first step to prove to history and the international community that there is always a chance for peace, always hope.

Cheng Li-wen said that DPP friends are full of doubts, even fear, towards the other side. She hopes that this trip will prove to the DPP that cross-strait peace is not that difficult. If the KMT and CPC can reconcile, why can't the blue and green camps in Taiwan reconcile?

As for her hopes after returning to Taiwan, Cheng Li-wen hopes that the blue and green camps can reconsider ending their vicious struggle and resolve the constitutional deadlock. She hopes to extend sincerity and goodwill to the DPP and President Lai, so that everyone can work together for Taiwan's security.

Regarding the possibility of discussing cross-strait economic and trade issues and agricultural product sales to China during this trip, Cheng Li-wen said that cross-strait relations have rapidly frozen over the past decade, with many exchanges being obstructed and cut off, causing immense suffering to various industries. She hopes the other side will show goodwill, but since the KMT is an opposition party, specific policy openings and the full resumption of cross-strait exchanges will naturally begin when the KMT takes power in 2028.

Regarding the possibility of a "Lai-Xi meeting," Cheng Li-wen explained that without a "Lai-Cheng meeting," a "Lai-Xi meeting" would be difficult. Everyone is in Taipei, "is it really that hard to meet?" She hopes that internal party politics in Taiwan will return to rational competition, prioritize the welfare of the people, and adhere to the democratic rule of law stipulated by the constitution. Once everything returns to normal, Taiwan's national competitiveness and the prosperity of its people will naturally begin. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150407