Cheng Li-wen Meets US Lawmakers and Think Tanks, Discusses Arms Sales and Cross-Strait Relations
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen visited US lawmakers and think tanks in Washington, discussing topics including arms sales and cross-strait relations. She emphasized the importance of peace and stated that if the KMT returns to power, it will promote cross-strait reconciliation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 11:35
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 11:48 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 11:49 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Washington, D.C., by reporter Hou Ziyin, June 11) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen continued her Washington itinerary on Tuesday, meeting with U.S. lawmakers and holding closed-door discussions with think tank scholars. After the meetings, Cheng stated that she had a very good exchange with the lawmakers. Accompanying her, KMT Representative to the U.S. Chin Jih-hsin said in an interview that the discussions focused on Taiwan's security, arms sales, and cross-strait relations. Lawmakers and scholars were also curious about Cheng's recent visit to China.
Cheng met with three Republican lawmakers: U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, Representative Don Bacon, and Representative Young Kim. Sullivan is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Bacon is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Kim chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific.
Cheng told the media that the congressional visits went very smoothly. Despite limited time, she thanked the heavyweight members of the armed services and foreign affairs committees for making time to meet and express their support and concern for Taiwan. She said both sides had a very good exchange regarding Taiwan's recent developments.
Chin noted that Senator Sullivan was interested in Taiwan's defense budget. Cheng expressed the KMT's position, hoping to obtain more relevant information from the U.S. side or the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government regarding commercial purchases and indigenous defense to facilitate review.
During the meeting with Representative Kim, Chin said she was concerned about China's threat to Taiwan, Cheng's visit to China, and the review of Taiwan's special defense budget. Cheng provided explanations on these matters.
The Executive Yuan's proposed special defense ordinance of NT$1.25 trillion over eight years, after being stalled in the Legislative Yuan for some time, passed its third reading in May. The passed version capped the budget at NT$780 billion, excluded commercial purchases and commissioned projects, and significantly cut drone-related budgets.
After concluding their congressional visits, Cheng and her delegation went to the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C. think tank, for a closed-door discussion with scholars and experts lasting about 1.5 hours. Chin reported that Cheng did not give a speech but directly answered questions. Topics of interest to the participants included cross-strait relations, Taiwan's defense security, the future direction of the KMT, and arms sales. They were also curious about Cheng's visit to China and her vision and plans for building cross-strait peace.
Riley Walters, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who attended the closed-door discussion, said he believes Cheng is very proactive and intends to become a leading figure in cross-strait relations and the trilateral relationship among Washington, Taipei, and Beijing. He cited her recent visit to China and her current visit to Washington as evidence.
Walters said Cheng also wants to demonstrate that she can engage in political communication at the national level.
In the evening, Cheng attended a banquet hosted by the overseas Chinese community in Washington and delivered a speech of about 30 minutes. Over 400 overseas Taiwanese attended. She said that although many of her meetings and exchanges during this U.S. visit were confidential, she could tell everyone that the results exceeded initial expectations.
Cheng also emphasized the importance of peace and criticized the DPP government for pushing the two sides of the strait toward war. She said peace brings huge dividends, but war brings eternal destruction, asking, "What should the people of Taiwan choose?"
She stated that all of the KMT's policies and positions must pass the test of public opinion. If the KMT receives a mandate from the people in the year-end local elections and the 2028 presidential election, after returning to power, it will represent the official Taiwan side in exchanges with the other side, normalizing cross-strait relations and achieving reconciliation. She argued that establishing regional peace and stability and preventing the U.S. from being drawn into war is the true role of an ally of the United States.
In response, Hsiao Shun-wen, Director of the Democratic Progressive Party's Representative Office in the U.S., said that in recent years, Beijing's biggest external propaganda narrative has been using Taiwan as an excuse to justify various actions that undermine regional security. "It is regrettable that the chairperson of Taiwan's opposition party is saying the same things as Beijing."
Hsiao pointed out that no country wants to be drawn into war, which is why the U.S. and countries in the first island chain are accelerating investment in national defense and strengthening deterrence. She emphasized that the threat "has never been Taiwan, but China." She also said that the people of Taiwan have moved beyond the old "One China framework" and believes no one wants to go back. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150612
Cheng met with three Republican lawmakers: U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, Representative Don Bacon, and Representative Young Kim. Sullivan is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Bacon is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Kim chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific.
Cheng told the media that the congressional visits went very smoothly. Despite limited time, she thanked the heavyweight members of the armed services and foreign affairs committees for making time to meet and express their support and concern for Taiwan. She said both sides had a very good exchange regarding Taiwan's recent developments.
Chin noted that Senator Sullivan was interested in Taiwan's defense budget. Cheng expressed the KMT's position, hoping to obtain more relevant information from the U.S. side or the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government regarding commercial purchases and indigenous defense to facilitate review.
During the meeting with Representative Kim, Chin said she was concerned about China's threat to Taiwan, Cheng's visit to China, and the review of Taiwan's special defense budget. Cheng provided explanations on these matters.
The Executive Yuan's proposed special defense ordinance of NT$1.25 trillion over eight years, after being stalled in the Legislative Yuan for some time, passed its third reading in May. The passed version capped the budget at NT$780 billion, excluded commercial purchases and commissioned projects, and significantly cut drone-related budgets.
After concluding their congressional visits, Cheng and her delegation went to the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C. think tank, for a closed-door discussion with scholars and experts lasting about 1.5 hours. Chin reported that Cheng did not give a speech but directly answered questions. Topics of interest to the participants included cross-strait relations, Taiwan's defense security, the future direction of the KMT, and arms sales. They were also curious about Cheng's visit to China and her vision and plans for building cross-strait peace.
Riley Walters, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who attended the closed-door discussion, said he believes Cheng is very proactive and intends to become a leading figure in cross-strait relations and the trilateral relationship among Washington, Taipei, and Beijing. He cited her recent visit to China and her current visit to Washington as evidence.
Walters said Cheng also wants to demonstrate that she can engage in political communication at the national level.
In the evening, Cheng attended a banquet hosted by the overseas Chinese community in Washington and delivered a speech of about 30 minutes. Over 400 overseas Taiwanese attended. She said that although many of her meetings and exchanges during this U.S. visit were confidential, she could tell everyone that the results exceeded initial expectations.
Cheng also emphasized the importance of peace and criticized the DPP government for pushing the two sides of the strait toward war. She said peace brings huge dividends, but war brings eternal destruction, asking, "What should the people of Taiwan choose?"
She stated that all of the KMT's policies and positions must pass the test of public opinion. If the KMT receives a mandate from the people in the year-end local elections and the 2028 presidential election, after returning to power, it will represent the official Taiwan side in exchanges with the other side, normalizing cross-strait relations and achieving reconciliation. She argued that establishing regional peace and stability and preventing the U.S. from being drawn into war is the true role of an ally of the United States.
In response, Hsiao Shun-wen, Director of the Democratic Progressive Party's Representative Office in the U.S., said that in recent years, Beijing's biggest external propaganda narrative has been using Taiwan as an excuse to justify various actions that undermine regional security. "It is regrettable that the chairperson of Taiwan's opposition party is saying the same things as Beijing."
Hsiao pointed out that no country wants to be drawn into war, which is why the U.S. and countries in the first island chain are accelerating investment in national defense and strengthening deterrence. She emphasized that the threat "has never been Taiwan, but China." She also said that the people of Taiwan have moved beyond the old "One China framework" and believes no one wants to go back. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150612
FAQ
Why did Cheng Li-wen visit the US?
To meet with US lawmakers and think tanks to exchange views on Taiwan's security, arms sales, and cross-strait relations.
What is Cheng Li-wen's stance on cross-strait relations?
She emphasizes peace, criticizes the DPP government, and says the KMT will promote normalization and reconciliation if it returns to power.
What was the DPP's reaction?
The DPP criticized her remarks as being no different from Beijing's, emphasizing that the threat to Taiwan comes from China.