Liang Wen-chieh: CCP's 'Beneficial to Taiwan' Measures are Old Wine in New Bottles, Offering Little Substantial Benefit to Taiwan

On April 13, 2026, during a Legislative Yuan session, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh addressed questions regarding the CCP's 'beneficial to Taiwan' measures announced after the meeting between KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. Liang asserted that these measures are 'old wine in new bottles,' providing minimal tangible benefits to Taiwan. Instead, he argued, they represent a significant propaganda and united front triumph for the CCP, posing a serious threat to Taiwan's national survival. KMT Legislator Huang Jen questioned the Mainland Affairs Council's planned 'necessary actions' to safeguard national sovereignty, specifically asking if there was evidence of Cheng Li-wen's illegal conduct. Liang responded that Cheng Li-wen's advocacy for establishing a cross-strait peace framework and institutionalizing cross-strait peace during her meeting with Xi Jinping could potentially violate the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. He clarified that without government authorization, no organization or group is permitted to engage in political cooperation or sign agreements related to public authority or political issues with mainland China. As it was unclear whether Cheng Li-wen's statements were merely an expression of intent or actual actions, the government indicated it would take necessary measures if the KMT's actions crossed 'forbidden territory' under the Act. In response to DPP Legislator Shen Po-yang, Liang described the 'beneficial to Taiwan' measures as a small gain for the CCP ('a bowl of tempura for a pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'), where the 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' represents the political commitments made by Taiwan's largest opposition party in Beijing, such as a peace framework, and the dissemination of misleading messages to the international community, like 'no foreign intervention.' These messages, Liang warned, could influence international perceptions of Taiwan, making it a major propaganda victory for Beijing. To DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-ting, Liang reiterated that the measures offer little substantial benefit to Taiwan but secure a significant propaganda and united front victory for the CCP, impacting Taiwan's national survival. Separately, National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen commented on the CCP's claim of offering benefits to Taiwan, including support for Kinmen to share Xiamen's new airport. Tsai stated that national security agencies have been continuously monitoring the planning and promotion of Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport. He assessed that such operations, including encouraging Taiwanese businesses to set up stalls, are primarily united front tactics, and the government is aware of and discussing these developments.