Cheng Li-wen's Visit to China: French Scholar Says Rhetoric Echoes Xi Jinping
Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wen visited China at Xi Jinping's invitation, marking the first KMT chairman's visit in 10 years. Cheng proposed five points, including expanding Taiwan's international space through political mutual trust and seeking to restore cross-strait consultation mechanisms. A French scholar, Julian, stated that Cheng's visit would not alter the cross-strait power balance or influence the DPP government's policies. Julian also noted Cheng's "pro-Communist" rhetoric, which closely mirrored Xi Jinping's, potentially alienating some voters and moderate KMT members, especially with Taiwan's elections in November.
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- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 08:17
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Cheng Li-wen visited China at Xi Jinping's invitation, marking the first time a Kuomintang (KMT) chairman has visited China in 10 years. The two met in Beijing on the 10th. Cheng proposed five points, including increasing Taiwan's international activity space through political mutual trust and seeking to restore cross-strait consultation mechanisms. Xi Jinping, in turn, stated his willingness to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with various Taiwanese political parties, groups, and people from all walks of life on the common political foundation of adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and opposing Taiwan independence.
Julien, director of the Asia Research Center at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), told Central News Agency in a phone interview that as an opposition party leader, Cheng Li-wen's visit to China and meeting with Xi Jinping would not change the cross-strait power balance. It would neither shake the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's policies nor reverse China's military pressure on Taiwan.
He stated that since Cheng Li-wen took office as KMT chairman in November last year, she has shown a strong desire to draw closer to the Chinese Communist Party. First, she expressed hope to meet Xi Jinping in the first half of this year, followed by the KMT-CCP think tank forum held in Beijing in February, which resumed an exchange mechanism that had been interrupted for about 10 years. At that time, KMT Vice Chairman Sean Lien also met with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which was also a strong signal, followed by this Cheng-Xi meeting.
Julien analyzed that the KMT has long claimed to be a peaceful political party capable of dialogue with Beijing. Therefore, one advantage Cheng Li-wen gained from this visit to China is making this argument credible, and even if other KMT factions have reservations about Cheng Li-wen, it is difficult for them to criticize this point. However, he will continue to observe various reactions within the KMT.
In addition, Julien pointed out that Cheng Li-wen's speech was very "pro-Communist," even "extremely flattering to Xi Jinping," and directly copied Xi Jinping's statements about "a community with a shared future for mankind" and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Their rhetoric was quite consistent, which might cause resentment among some voters and moderate KMT members.
Considering that Taiwan will hold mayoral and county magistrate elections in November, Julien believes that the Cheng-Xi meeting has both pros and cons for the KMT.
He said that on the one hand, Cheng Li-wen met with Xi Jinping less than half a year after taking office as party chairman, which helps strengthen the KMT's position and its narrative as a peaceful political party. But on the other hand, she went to great lengths to echo Xi Jinping's slogans and ideology, and Taiwanese voters would not want to cast their votes for a political party that unconditionally obeys Xi Jinping. (Edited by Chen Huiping) 1150411
Julien, director of the Asia Research Center at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), told Central News Agency in a phone interview that as an opposition party leader, Cheng Li-wen's visit to China and meeting with Xi Jinping would not change the cross-strait power balance. It would neither shake the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's policies nor reverse China's military pressure on Taiwan.
He stated that since Cheng Li-wen took office as KMT chairman in November last year, she has shown a strong desire to draw closer to the Chinese Communist Party. First, she expressed hope to meet Xi Jinping in the first half of this year, followed by the KMT-CCP think tank forum held in Beijing in February, which resumed an exchange mechanism that had been interrupted for about 10 years. At that time, KMT Vice Chairman Sean Lien also met with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which was also a strong signal, followed by this Cheng-Xi meeting.
Julien analyzed that the KMT has long claimed to be a peaceful political party capable of dialogue with Beijing. Therefore, one advantage Cheng Li-wen gained from this visit to China is making this argument credible, and even if other KMT factions have reservations about Cheng Li-wen, it is difficult for them to criticize this point. However, he will continue to observe various reactions within the KMT.
In addition, Julien pointed out that Cheng Li-wen's speech was very "pro-Communist," even "extremely flattering to Xi Jinping," and directly copied Xi Jinping's statements about "a community with a shared future for mankind" and "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Their rhetoric was quite consistent, which might cause resentment among some voters and moderate KMT members.
Considering that Taiwan will hold mayoral and county magistrate elections in November, Julien believes that the Cheng-Xi meeting has both pros and cons for the KMT.
He said that on the one hand, Cheng Li-wen met with Xi Jinping less than half a year after taking office as party chairman, which helps strengthen the KMT's position and its narrative as a peaceful political party. But on the other hand, she went to great lengths to echo Xi Jinping's slogans and ideology, and Taiwanese voters would not want to cast their votes for a political party that unconditionally obeys Xi Jinping. (Edited by Chen Huiping) 1150411
FAQ
What was the purpose of Cheng Li-wen's visit to China?
The purpose was to enhance Taiwan's international activity space through political mutual trust and to seek the restoration of cross-strait consultation mechanisms.
How did the French scholar evaluate Cheng Li-wen's visit to China?
The scholar pointed out that Cheng's visit would not change the cross-strait power balance, nor would it affect the DPP government's policies or reverse China's military pressure on Taiwan. He also assessed Cheng's speech as "pro-Communist" and "extremely flattering to Xi Jinping," echoing Xi's rhetoric.