KMT Chairperson Cheng's Meeting with U.S. National Security Council Cancelled, KMT Accuses Specific Media of Deliberate Defamation

Central News Agency reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, April 11

It has been reported that the U.S. National Security Council has cancelled its scheduled meeting with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Lai I-te without providing any reason. The KMT responded today, stating that all of Lai's meetings with U.S. administrative departments in Washington were strictly confidential and no information was to be disclosed externally. The party accused certain media outlets of deliberate defamation, asserting that such actions only expose the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) panic and insecurity.

Lai I-te is currently leading a delegation on a visit to the United States. According to a report today by Liberty Times, Lai and her delegation were expected to meet with officials from the U.S. National Security Council at the White House on the afternoon of April 10, Eastern Time. However, sources indicate that Lai's delegation did not appear at the White House during that time, and the scheduled meeting was cancelled without any explanation provided.

In an evening press release, the KMT's Department of Information and Communications responded to the Liberty Times report. The party strongly condemned the report claiming the U.S. National Security Council had abruptly cancelled the meeting with Lai I-te. It emphasized that all meetings between Lai and U.S. administrative agencies in Washington were confidential and not subject to public disclosure. The KMT stated that the false reporting by specific media outlets was a deliberate act of distortion, which only reveals the DPP's fear and inner insecurity.

Additionally, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim announced today that President Lai Ching-te has nominated former KMT legislator and Chairman of the Pingtung Urban Development and Cultural Education Foundation, Liao Wan-ju, as well as former New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Hsieh Cheng-da, among others, to serve as members of the Control Yuan.

The KMT stated that Vice President Hsiao announced a list of 29 Control Yuan nominees this morning. The nomination process did not involve inter-party consultation, and the two nominees, Hsieh Cheng-da and Liao Wan-ju, were not recommended by the KMT. The party issued this clarification accordingly. (Edited by Su Lung-chi)