President's Trip Hindered: Cheng Li-wun Calls It Diplomatic Failure, Liang Wen-chieh Asks 'Whose Side Are You On?'
Following the delay of President Lai Ching-te's trip to Eswatini due to Chinese pressure, KMT's Cheng Li-wun called it a diplomatic failure. Mainland Affairs Council's Liang Wen-chieh fiercely rebutted, questioning whose side she is on and urging her not to whitewash the CCP's actions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:16
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 19:32 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 20:51 (1h 19m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 23rd) President Lai Ching-te's trip to Eswatini was postponed due to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Regarding Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun's statement yesterday that "this is a major diplomatic failure," Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated that all Taiwanese people feel indignant, and he truly does not know whose side Cheng Li-wun is on, hoping she will stop whitewashing for the CCP.
On the 22nd, responding to the postponement of President Lai's trip, Cheng Li-wun stated that this is a major diplomatic failure and should not be taken lightly. She questioned why the government stubbornly insists on its own way, leading to continuous diplomatic setbacks when the whole world can accept the 1992 Consensus and does not support Taiwan independence, adding that sometimes one should reflect on oneself rather than blaming others.
Liang Wen-chieh stated at the MAC's regular press conference today, "I don't quite understand what Chairperson Cheng Li-wun's stance is because she goes around saying the whole world follows the One-China principle," while countries like Mauritius simply listen to the CCP, telling you what the One-China principle is: only the People's Republic of China is called China, Taiwan belongs to China, and Taiwan has no president.
Liang Wen-chieh pointed out that countries like Mauritius followed the CCP's will, believing Taiwan has no president, thus refusing to allow a presidential plane to apply for flight routes. According to Cheng Li-wun's logic, if the whole world follows the One-China principle, "she should be overjoyed," and "she should say that these countries like Mauritius are all correct, and even send congratulatory telegrams to express gratitude. So why would she call it a diplomatic failure?" He expressed his bewilderment.
Liang Wen-chieh said this is the first time this situation has occurred; we did not apply to go to countries like Mauritius. However, they used the One-China principle as an excuse to reject the transit of our presidential plane. For all Taiwanese people, this naturally causes indignation. Yet, as the chairperson of the largest opposition party, regarding this issue, "we truly don't know whose side she is on."
Liang Wen-chieh mentioned that the Taiwan Affairs Office stated very clearly at yesterday's press conference that "the Republic of China has no president," meaning the Republic of China does not exist. A while ago, Cheng Li-wun spoke at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, mentioning the years of the Republic of China, and thought the CCP could tolerate the existence of the Republic of China. After returning, she claimed how generous Chinese President Xi Jinping is toward Taiwan and how much he respects Taiwan's system and way of life. "After this incident, no one will believe that."
He said, "I hope Chairperson Cheng will stop whitewashing for the CCP." In this matter, the CCP's stance is very clear: there is no Republic of China, they do not recognize the Republic of China, and the Republic of China has no president. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 23rd) President Lai Ching-te's trip to Eswatini was postponed due to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Regarding Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun's statement yesterday that "this is a major diplomatic failure," Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated that all Taiwanese people feel indignant, and he truly does not know whose side Cheng Li-wun is on, hoping she will stop whitewashing for the CCP.
On the 22nd, responding to the postponement of President Lai's trip, Cheng Li-wun stated that this is a major diplomatic failure and should not be taken lightly. She questioned why the government stubbornly insists on its own way, leading to continuous diplomatic setbacks when the whole world can accept the 1992 Consensus and does not support Taiwan independence, adding that sometimes one should reflect on oneself rather than blaming others.
Liang Wen-chieh stated at the MAC's regular press conference today, "I don't quite understand what Chairperson Cheng Li-wun's stance is because she goes around saying the whole world follows the One-China principle," while countries like Mauritius simply listen to the CCP, telling you what the One-China principle is: only the People's Republic of China is called China, Taiwan belongs to China, and Taiwan has no president.
Liang Wen-chieh pointed out that countries like Mauritius followed the CCP's will, believing Taiwan has no president, thus refusing to allow a presidential plane to apply for flight routes. According to Cheng Li-wun's logic, if the whole world follows the One-China principle, "she should be overjoyed," and "she should say that these countries like Mauritius are all correct, and even send congratulatory telegrams to express gratitude. So why would she call it a diplomatic failure?" He expressed his bewilderment.
Liang Wen-chieh said this is the first time this situation has occurred; we did not apply to go to countries like Mauritius. However, they used the One-China principle as an excuse to reject the transit of our presidential plane. For all Taiwanese people, this naturally causes indignation. Yet, as the chairperson of the largest opposition party, regarding this issue, "we truly don't know whose side she is on."
Liang Wen-chieh mentioned that the Taiwan Affairs Office stated very clearly at yesterday's press conference that "the Republic of China has no president," meaning the Republic of China does not exist. A while ago, Cheng Li-wun spoke at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, mentioning the years of the Republic of China, and thought the CCP could tolerate the existence of the Republic of China. After returning, she claimed how generous Chinese President Xi Jinping is toward Taiwan and how much he respects Taiwan's system and way of life. "After this incident, no one will believe that."
He said, "I hope Chairperson Cheng will stop whitewashing for the CCP." In this matter, the CCP's stance is very clear: there is no Republic of China, they do not recognize the Republic of China, and the Republic of China has no president. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship from you is the power to guard press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.