Cheng Li-wun says president should seek China dialogue

• By Liu Wan-lin / Staff reporter

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President William Lai (賴清德) should seek ways to resume cross-strait dialogue, because if the leaders of the US and China can negotiate, Taiwan should also prioritize communication, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said yesterday.

Thursday’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) — their second in five months — demonstrated that Washington and Beijing are maintaining dialogue and managing differences despite intense economic, technological and geopolitical competition, Cheng said.

That serves as a reminder for Taiwan, she said, adding that as major powers seek new balances for their own benefit, Taipei must chart its own course to maximize its own security and interests.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun speaks in an undated photograph.

Photo: Taipei Times

Cheng cited tariffs, rare earths, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and Iran as issues at stake in the summit, all of which involve vital strategic considerations, she said.

Referencing remarks this week by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that foreign arms sales must factor in global US military needs, weapons stockpiles and defense industry capacity, Cheng said that Taiwan needs a long-term, stable and pragmatic strategy amid a rapidly changing international landscape.

The KMT fully supports improving Taiwan’s self-defense, and deepening security and economic cooperation with the US, she said.

However, a mature strategy must combine military and economic strength with the space for dialogue to lower the risk of war, allowing Taiwan to protect itself while also maintaining peace and creating prosperity, she added.

Taiwan does not need to choose between being “pro-US” or “pro-China,” Cheng said, adding that improving national defense and building dialogue to reduce hostility are not mutually exclusive.

Cheng called on Lai to provide the public with a comprehensive assessment of the latest US-China and cross-strait developments following the summit in Washington.

If Trump and Xi can negotiate for their respective national interests, Lai should also keep the safety and interests of Taiwanese in mind, propose concrete plans to reduce cross-strait risks and find a way to open the door to dialogue, she said.