Zheng-Xi Meeting's Limited Impact; Year-End Local Elections Prioritize Candidates and Factions
The Zheng-Xi meeting in Beijing, where Cheng Li-wen and Xi Jinping reiterated adherence to the '1992 Consensus' and opposition to Taiwan independence, had limited impact on Taiwan's year-end local elections. Analysts from both KMT and DPP camps believe the meeting's content did not significantly exceed expectations. The key factors for winning local elections remain candidate characteristics, local factions, and campaign strategies, outweighing cross-strait issues. While the meeting might burden KMT candidates in the south, it could offer a slight boost in northern regions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 21:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:17 (2h 48m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:07 (114h 49m after Collected)
The Zheng-Xi meeting took place at 11 AM today in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People, where the two shook hands for 14 seconds in front of cameras and delivered public speeches before reporters left and formal talks began. Cheng Li-wen and Xi Jinping both mentioned adhering to the '1992 Consensus' and opposing Taiwan independence, and extensively elaborated on the 'Chinese nation.'
The discussions at the Zheng-Xi meeting did not significantly exceed pre-meeting expectations and did not cause much stir. Many KMT politicians had worried that overly strong statements from the meeting might impact the year-end local elections, but they breathed a sigh of relief afterward. A KMT campaign aide said that while the Zheng-Xi meeting cannot be said to have no impact on local elections, there is still more than half a year until the election, and Cheng Li-wen's actions were not detrimental, so the overall impact on the KMT's election prospects is judged to be small.
Furthermore, as the Zheng-Xi meeting had been long anticipated, Taiwanese people are well aware of the KMT's and DPP's stances on cross-strait relations. Cheng Li-wen's visit did not significantly deviate from the public's expectations of the KMT's cross-strait policy; it can only be said that whatever impact it had is already reflected in opinion polls and has already manifested in year-end votes.
A KMT campaign aide said that the Zheng-Xi meeting is unlikely to have a structural impact on the election, but it is still necessary to guard against the subsequent effects of opponents playing the anti-China card.
DPP party and government officials also believe that Cheng Li-wen's visit may have little impact on the year-end elections, as the public's established impression of the KMT's 'pro-China' stance and Cheng Li-wen personally is already fixed. While this may not necessarily boost the KMT, it will not significantly boost the DPP either, as the DPP's performance depends on its own factors and is not directly related to whether Cheng Li-wen visits. Currently, the benefits China can offer are limited to tourists and mainland students, which are no longer substantially significant.
Moreover, although Cheng Li-wen is currently the KMT chairwoman, there are still multiple 'suns' within the party, such as former chairman Eric Chu, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. Therefore, Cheng Li-wen alone is not enough to influence the year-end local elections.
DPP party and government officials analyzed that the Zheng-Xi meeting might boost Cheng Li-wen's personal status and consolidate her power within the party, but it is not necessarily a boost for the KMT as a whole, because the KMT must face not only China but also the United States. Current polls show that Cheng Li-wen's personal approval rating is very low, which is why Eric Chu and Lu Shiow-yen, even at the risk of party division, called for attention to arms sales. If Xi Jinping interferes too much, the KMT will have a very difficult time in the year-end elections.
Returning to the year-end local elections, the most important factors for electing mayors and county magistrates are the candidates' own characteristics, local factions, and campaign strategies. These factors will far outweigh cross-strait issues. A KMT campaign aide said that the main theme of the year-end mayoral elections will inevitably return to the candidates themselves in each locality, and how to present appealing policies is the key.
However, the Zheng-Xi meeting is not without any impact on the year-end elections, especially in the southern DPP strongholds, where the voter structure is inherently less receptive to the KMT's cross-strait policy positions. Therefore, the Zheng-Xi meeting may be a heavier burden for KMT candidates in the south; conversely, in the northern regions of Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, the Zheng-Xi meeting might have a slight positive effect.
An unnamed KMT legislator reminded that Cheng Li-wen's visit did not result in any missteps, and her appeal for peace and stability may indeed win the approval of many economic voters. However, the further south one goes in Taiwan, the greater the gap in the KMT-DPP basic support. If the KMT is perceived as overly pro-China, it could have a greater impact on central and southern constituencies with more moderate green and light green voters. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150410
The discussions at the Zheng-Xi meeting did not significantly exceed pre-meeting expectations and did not cause much stir. Many KMT politicians had worried that overly strong statements from the meeting might impact the year-end local elections, but they breathed a sigh of relief afterward. A KMT campaign aide said that while the Zheng-Xi meeting cannot be said to have no impact on local elections, there is still more than half a year until the election, and Cheng Li-wen's actions were not detrimental, so the overall impact on the KMT's election prospects is judged to be small.
Furthermore, as the Zheng-Xi meeting had been long anticipated, Taiwanese people are well aware of the KMT's and DPP's stances on cross-strait relations. Cheng Li-wen's visit did not significantly deviate from the public's expectations of the KMT's cross-strait policy; it can only be said that whatever impact it had is already reflected in opinion polls and has already manifested in year-end votes.
A KMT campaign aide said that the Zheng-Xi meeting is unlikely to have a structural impact on the election, but it is still necessary to guard against the subsequent effects of opponents playing the anti-China card.
DPP party and government officials also believe that Cheng Li-wen's visit may have little impact on the year-end elections, as the public's established impression of the KMT's 'pro-China' stance and Cheng Li-wen personally is already fixed. While this may not necessarily boost the KMT, it will not significantly boost the DPP either, as the DPP's performance depends on its own factors and is not directly related to whether Cheng Li-wen visits. Currently, the benefits China can offer are limited to tourists and mainland students, which are no longer substantially significant.
Moreover, although Cheng Li-wen is currently the KMT chairwoman, there are still multiple 'suns' within the party, such as former chairman Eric Chu, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. Therefore, Cheng Li-wen alone is not enough to influence the year-end local elections.
DPP party and government officials analyzed that the Zheng-Xi meeting might boost Cheng Li-wen's personal status and consolidate her power within the party, but it is not necessarily a boost for the KMT as a whole, because the KMT must face not only China but also the United States. Current polls show that Cheng Li-wen's personal approval rating is very low, which is why Eric Chu and Lu Shiow-yen, even at the risk of party division, called for attention to arms sales. If Xi Jinping interferes too much, the KMT will have a very difficult time in the year-end elections.
Returning to the year-end local elections, the most important factors for electing mayors and county magistrates are the candidates' own characteristics, local factions, and campaign strategies. These factors will far outweigh cross-strait issues. A KMT campaign aide said that the main theme of the year-end mayoral elections will inevitably return to the candidates themselves in each locality, and how to present appealing policies is the key.
However, the Zheng-Xi meeting is not without any impact on the year-end elections, especially in the southern DPP strongholds, where the voter structure is inherently less receptive to the KMT's cross-strait policy positions. Therefore, the Zheng-Xi meeting may be a heavier burden for KMT candidates in the south; conversely, in the northern regions of Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, the Zheng-Xi meeting might have a slight positive effect.
An unnamed KMT legislator reminded that Cheng Li-wen's visit did not result in any missteps, and her appeal for peace and stability may indeed win the approval of many economic voters. However, the further south one goes in Taiwan, the greater the gap in the KMT-DPP basic support. If the KMT is perceived as overly pro-China, it could have a greater impact on central and southern constituencies with more moderate green and light green voters. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150410
FAQ
What is the analyzed impact of the Zheng-Xi meeting on the year-end local elections?
The Zheng-Xi meeting is analyzed to have a limited impact on the year-end local elections. The primary determinants for elections are candidate characteristics, local factions, and campaign strategies, which are considered more important than cross-strait factors.
Does the Zheng-Xi meeting's impact on the KMT's election prospects vary by region in Taiwan?
Yes, it does. In the southern DPP strongholds, the meeting might be a heavier burden for KMT candidates due to voter structure. Conversely, in the northern regions of Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, the meeting might have a slight positive effect.