Cross-Strait Benefits for the Economy? DPP Criticizes KMT with 5 Data Points

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized the Kuomintang (KMT)'s stance on locking Taiwan's economy to China, countering KMT and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda about 'peace dividends' with five economic data points. The DPP argued that under KMT rule, the stock market, economic growth rate, unemployment, per capita GDP, and basic wages performed poorly.
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  • 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 11:04
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Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 30th) The China Affairs Department of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) today stated that after the "Xi-Zheng meeting," the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Kuomintang (KMT) have extensively promoted the narrative that it will bring "peace dividends" to Taiwan. However, five economic data points—Taiwan's stock index, economic growth rate, unemployment rate, per capita GDP, and basic wages—demonstrate that the KMT is only interested in locking Taiwan into China's economy rather than boosting it.

The DPP's China Affairs Department posted on Facebook today, stating that the KMT and CCP are trying every possible means to relock Taiwan's economy into the Chinese market. They are pushing for Taiwanese businesses to "return to the west for a second time" and advocating for a "cross-strait common market." While promoting "empty gestures without substance" new measures for Taiwan, they are simultaneously doing everything to obstruct deeper economic cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. They are also using an overwhelming cognitive warfare campaign to badmouth Taiwan's economy and spread "America-skeptic" sentiment. The ultimate goal is to create the illusion that "Taiwan's economy can only rely on China," but this bubble of lies has already been burst by reality.

The DPP's China Affairs Department said that from the economic performance of Taiwan's past four administrations, KMT rule has meant the worst stock index. Before the Chen Shui-bian administration left office, the stock market was around 9,000 points. Before the Ma Ying-jeou administration left office, it was only about 8,000 points. However, under DPP rule for nearly 10 years, the stock market reached over 21,000 points before the Tsai Ing-wen administration left office, and is expected to break 40,000 points after the Lai Ching-te administration takes office.

The DPP's China Affairs Department stated that KMT rule has meant the lowest economic growth rate. The average economic growth rate was 4.5% during the Chen Shui-bian administration, 3.4% during the Tsai Ing-wen administration, and is projected to be 8.7% for the Lai Ching-te administration (2025). However, during the Ma Ying-jeou administration, it was only 2.9%.

The DPP's China Affairs Department noted that KMT rule has meant the highest unemployment rate. The average unemployment rate was 4.25% during the Chen Shui-bian administration, 3.72% during the Tsai Ing-wen administration, and is projected to be 3.35% for the Lai Ching-te administration (2025). However, during the Ma Ying-jeou administration, it averaged as high as 4.41%.

The DPP's China Affairs Department also indicated that KMT rule has meant a dismal per capita GDP. During the Ma Ying-jeou administration, per capita GDP was approximately US$23,000. During the Tsai Ing-wen administration, it grew to US$34,000, and for the Lai Ching-te administration (2025), it has already grown to US$39,500.

The DPP's China Affairs Department said that KMT rule has meant stagnant basic wages. During the Ma Ying-jeou administration, Taiwan's real wages were approximately NT$51,000 and the basic wage was about NT$20,000. During the Tsai Ing-wen administration, these were NT$57,000 and NT$27,000 respectively, and for the Lai Ching-te administration (2025), they are NT$58,000 and NT$29,500.

The DPP's China Affairs Department concluded that the numbers prove the KMT is incapable of boosting the economy and only wants to lock Taiwan into China. Through the joint efforts of the government and the Taiwanese people in recent years, Taiwan's economic development has gradually moved onto the "right path," reducing reliance on China and rebuilding democratic supply chains with global democratic partners. It emphasized that Taiwan must not revert to the past, be deceived by the notion that "Taiwan's economy must rely on China," and be pushed back into the "China trap." (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150430

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