KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun to Visit U.S.; SEF Urges Explanation of Political Stance

Regarding KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun's scheduled visit to the U.S. in June, Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), stated that he believes U.S. institutions will ask whether the KMT leadership is fundamentally changing the party's political stance. In response, Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Secretary-General Lo Wen-jia said on the 22nd that many people in Taiwan share this doubt, and Cheng has a responsibility to explain it to Taiwanese society.

Greene had previously noted in an interview with the Central News Agency that Cheng's visit to the U.S. would be an opportunity to "clear up doubts."

At an SEF background briefing, Lo stated that this is not just a question for the U.S. government, but a major doubt for those who have supported the KMT for years.

Lo criticized Cheng, saying, "During her previous visit to China, her narrative on the history of the KMT and CCP almost completely abandoned the perspective of the Republic of China that the KMT has long held, and completely aligned with the historical view of the People's Republic of China." He emphasized that as a responsible political party, Cheng must explain this to Taiwanese society.

Regarding President Lai Ching-te's mention of "maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" in his second-anniversary inaugural address, Lo explained that there are three aspects to maintaining the status quo: first, the status quo of peace; second, the status quo that the Republic of China is an independent sovereign state; and third, the status quo that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. He stated that these are undeniable objective facts.

Lo emphasized, "While there are difficulties and challenges in cross-strait relations, the objective status quo is that the Republic of China is not part of the People's Republic of China. The future of Taiwan is based on the decisions of the 23 million citizens of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu."