Cheng Li-wen Visits China; DPP Caucus Raises 3 Questions, Urges Not to Use Sovereignty as a Bargaining Chip
Legislator Cheng Li-wen visited China from April 7 to 12 at the invitation of CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. The DPP legislative caucus raised three questions, urging Cheng not to compromise national sovereignty. They demanded clarification on whether she accepted any political preconditions from China, if both sides of the strait belong to one China, and if she would refute Xi Jinping's claim that Taiwan is part of the PRC. The DPP also called for Cheng to convey Taiwan's desire for China to cease military threats and international suppression.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 13:49
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 14:00 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 12:28 (190h 28m after Collected)
Cheng Li-wen, invited by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led a delegation to visit China from the 7th to the 12th.
In response, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung, secretary-general Fan Yun, deputy whip Chen Pei-yu, and deputy secretary-general Wu Pei-yi held a press conference today titled "Three Questions for Chairperson Cheng Li-wen," demanding that Cheng Li-wen clearly explain whether she accepted any political preconditions from the Chinese side during this visit to China; whether, as Xi Jinping previously stated, the 1992 Consensus means both sides of the strait belong to one China; and whether she will refute Xi Jinping's assertion that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China when she meets him.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that the DPP supports normal exchanges but absolutely cannot use sovereignty as a bargaining chip, nor can national sovereignty be exchanged. Furthermore, the DPP caucus hopes to negotiate the draft National Defense Special Act as scheduled, because ensuring national security is the best guarantee for all Taiwanese people to live and work peacefully on this land. He urged Cheng Li-wen to ask Xi Jinping to abandon military intimidation against Taiwan when they meet.
Wu Pei-yi pointed out that she hopes Cheng Li-wen will respond to the three major questions raised by the DPP caucus and also express the voice of the Taiwanese people, which is to hope that China stops its verbal and military intimidation against Taiwan and stops suppressing Taiwan's international space.
Fan Yun stated that today is Taiwan's Freedom of Speech Day, and Taiwan's freedom and democracy were absolutely not achieved by lying flat.
Outside speculation suggested that the KMT caucus requested the negotiation of the "Special Act for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Combat Capabilities Procurement" draft be postponed from the 9th to the 15th or 16th due to the "Cheng-Xi meeting." Therefore, Fan Yun also said that American congressmen are visiting Taiwan today, conveying messages such as "peace relies on strength." If the KMT does not send representatives to participate in the negotiation, it would send a bad message to the international community. She hopes the negotiation can proceed as scheduled.
Media further inquired about rumors that the KMT caucus plans to send the general budget bill to committee for review during the Legislative Yuan meeting on the 10th.
Chuang Jui-hsiung said that the general budget bill has been stalled long enough, and the operations of the Legislative Yuan are all unspoken, proceeding slowly, which the DPP caucus also anticipates.
In addition, media asked the DPP about its candidate for the 2026 Taipei mayoral election. Reports indicated that there are some concerns within the DPP about nominating DPP Legislator Shen Po-yang for the Taipei mayoral race.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that it is early April now, and flowers will bloom in spring. He believes the candidate will soon emerge. Shen Po-yang is young and combative, certainly a good candidate, and the DPP has many talented individuals, so there is no need for concern from all sectors. Chen Pei-yu pointed out that the task of the DPP's election strategy committee is to meet public expectations, listen to all voices, and then select the best candidate. She asked everyone to give them a little more time, and good things will come naturally. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150407
In response, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung, secretary-general Fan Yun, deputy whip Chen Pei-yu, and deputy secretary-general Wu Pei-yi held a press conference today titled "Three Questions for Chairperson Cheng Li-wen," demanding that Cheng Li-wen clearly explain whether she accepted any political preconditions from the Chinese side during this visit to China; whether, as Xi Jinping previously stated, the 1992 Consensus means both sides of the strait belong to one China; and whether she will refute Xi Jinping's assertion that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China when she meets him.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that the DPP supports normal exchanges but absolutely cannot use sovereignty as a bargaining chip, nor can national sovereignty be exchanged. Furthermore, the DPP caucus hopes to negotiate the draft National Defense Special Act as scheduled, because ensuring national security is the best guarantee for all Taiwanese people to live and work peacefully on this land. He urged Cheng Li-wen to ask Xi Jinping to abandon military intimidation against Taiwan when they meet.
Wu Pei-yi pointed out that she hopes Cheng Li-wen will respond to the three major questions raised by the DPP caucus and also express the voice of the Taiwanese people, which is to hope that China stops its verbal and military intimidation against Taiwan and stops suppressing Taiwan's international space.
Fan Yun stated that today is Taiwan's Freedom of Speech Day, and Taiwan's freedom and democracy were absolutely not achieved by lying flat.
Outside speculation suggested that the KMT caucus requested the negotiation of the "Special Act for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Combat Capabilities Procurement" draft be postponed from the 9th to the 15th or 16th due to the "Cheng-Xi meeting." Therefore, Fan Yun also said that American congressmen are visiting Taiwan today, conveying messages such as "peace relies on strength." If the KMT does not send representatives to participate in the negotiation, it would send a bad message to the international community. She hopes the negotiation can proceed as scheduled.
Media further inquired about rumors that the KMT caucus plans to send the general budget bill to committee for review during the Legislative Yuan meeting on the 10th.
Chuang Jui-hsiung said that the general budget bill has been stalled long enough, and the operations of the Legislative Yuan are all unspoken, proceeding slowly, which the DPP caucus also anticipates.
In addition, media asked the DPP about its candidate for the 2026 Taipei mayoral election. Reports indicated that there are some concerns within the DPP about nominating DPP Legislator Shen Po-yang for the Taipei mayoral race.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that it is early April now, and flowers will bloom in spring. He believes the candidate will soon emerge. Shen Po-yang is young and combative, certainly a good candidate, and the DPP has many talented individuals, so there is no need for concern from all sectors. Chen Pei-yu pointed out that the task of the DPP's election strategy committee is to meet public expectations, listen to all voices, and then select the best candidate. She asked everyone to give them a little more time, and good things will come naturally. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150407