Taiwan Opposition Leader Says Peace Possible if Secession Is Dropped, While Maintaining Defense Commitment

Cheng Li‑wun, chair of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) party, said on Friday that her party is committed to defending the self‑ruled island, but that peace can be achieved if the idea of permanent secession is removed from the discussion.

During a two‑week visit to the United States that began on June 1, Cheng met with American lawmakers, scholars and representatives of the Trump administration. She told reporters in Washington that the KMT’s approach is similar to that of former President Donald Trump, who said after his May trip to Beijing that he was not looking to push Taiwan toward independence or to start a war.

"I think our basic stances are the same — that is peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to avoid any unnecessary war," Cheng said.

The KMT is the largest opposition party in Taiwan and is generally seen as Beijing‑friendly. Cheng has been a proponent of dialogue with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and has stated that both sides of the strait belong to the same Chinese nation.

In April, Cheng met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, the first meeting between a Taiwanese opposition leader and the Chinese president in a decade. Cheng described Xi as "very gentle and very nice and very real" and said she believes he wants to address the Taiwan issue through peaceful means.

"To initiate the dialogue cross‑strait with Xi Jinping doesn’t mean that we will give up the deterrence strength in Taiwan, and, of course, it doesn’t mean that we will compromise or give up our democracy and freedom," Cheng added.

She also said that cross‑strait peace can be maintained as long as Taipei does not move toward "de jure independence." The KMT’s stance is anti‑independence and pro‑closer ties, but it does not endorse unification under the PRC.

The United States recognizes the PRC’s position that Taiwan is part of China, but it opposes any use of force to change the status quo. U.S. law requires the country to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter a potential invasion. In December, the Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms‑sales package to Taiwan, and a preliminary approval has been given for a $14 billion package.

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has passed a $25 billion special defense budget to fund major U.S. arms purchases, down from the original $40 billion proposed by President Lai Ching‑te. The KMT has objected to the initial proposal because it lacks detail, but it has supported an interim measure to prioritize U.S. weapons purchases.

U.S. senators and representatives met with Cheng during her trip. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska said the KMT must work with the DPP to "finish the defense budget and support the Alaska LNG project." Representative Tom Suozzi of New York expressed concern that the KMT’s resistance to a robust defense budget could weaken deterrence. Representative John Rose of Tennessee said he is willing to engage with leaders from all parties and pledged support for Taiwan’s sovereignty and expanded U.S.–Taiwan relations.

The KMT’s approach emphasizes maintaining deterrence, democracy, and freedom while pursuing dialogue with Beijing. It seeks to preserve the status quo rather than pursue formal independence or unification.

The situation remains tense as the PRC has conducted regular military operations around Taiwan in recent years. U.S. officials continue to monitor the situation closely, balancing the need to deter aggression with the desire to avoid escalation.

Cheng’s comments underscore the delicate balance Taiwan’s opposition seeks to maintain: defending the island’s autonomy while engaging in constructive dialogue with Beijing and securing U.S. support for its defense capabilities.