Cheng Li-wen: Cross-Strait Development Must Respect the Will of the Taiwanese People, No Coercion Accepted
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen, in an interview with the South China Morning Post, emphasized that cross-strait development must be based on peaceful means, respecting the will and welfare of the Taiwanese people, and firmly rejecting any form of coercion or war. She reiterated the KMT's commitment to upholding the 'Constitution of the Republic of China' and democratic institutions.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 12:58
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Liu Guan-ting, Taipei, 11th) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen stated in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post that the KMT firmly upholds the "Constitution of the Republic of China" and democratic institutions. The future development of cross-strait relations must be based on peaceful means, respecting the will of the Taiwanese people and their welfare, and absolutely rejecting any form of coercion or war.
The KMT today issued a press release stating that Cheng Li-wen recently accepted an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, explaining the KMT's policies and positions on issues such as cross-strait relations, Taiwan Strait peace, national defense security, Taiwan-US relations, and the international situation.
Cheng Li-wen stated in the interview that cross-strait peace should not fluctuate repeatedly due to internal political changes in Taiwan, and the stability of the Taiwan Strait should not become a tool for short-term political manipulation. Peace must be built on continuous systems and mutual trust; only then can regional risks truly be reduced and the cross-strait relationship be prevented from falling into a vicious cycle.
Cheng Li-wen pointed out that the KMT firmly upholds the "Constitution of the Republic of China" and democratic institutions. The future development of cross-strait relations must be based on peaceful means, respecting the will of the Taiwanese people and their welfare, and absolutely rejecting any form of coercion or war.
Cheng Li-wen said that as the current situation in the Taiwan Strait continues to escalate, the international community is generally concerned about regional peace and stability. As a responsible political party, the KMT has always advocated reducing conflict risks through dialogue, exchange, and mutual trust, to prevent Taiwan from falling into a war crisis. As long as both sides return to the common political foundation of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, there will be an opportunity for cross-strait relations to resume peaceful exchanges and goodwill interactions.
Regarding her recent visit to mainland China, Cheng Li-wen stated that one of the important purposes of visiting mainland China was to prove to the international community that "peace is achievable" and that cross-strait relations are not destined only for confrontation and conflict. What the KMT pursues is a pragmatic path that can maintain long-term peace and stability, avoid the risk of war, and protect the safety and development interests of the Taiwanese people.
In terms of national defense and security, Cheng Li-wen emphasized that the KMT supports strengthening national defense, supports reasonable and effective arms purchases from the United States, and also supports enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities; but at the same time, it believes that any major defense budget should have specific content, transparent procedures, and effective oversight, and should not become a "blank authorization" lacking details.
Cheng Li-wen believes that a truly responsible national defense policy is not just about increasing numbers, but more importantly about how to truly transform every budget into effective combat power, including issues such as weapon delivery efficiency, strategic needs matching, and military personnel treatment and talent cultivation, all of which should be addressed pragmatically.
In addition, Cheng Li-wen also discussed her upcoming visit to the United States in the interview. She stated that in the future, she will continue to maintain close exchanges with US political circles, academia, and think tanks, to clearly explain the KMT's position on maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, supporting regional stability, and responsibly overseeing defense policy. (Edited by Su Chih-chung, Su Lung-chi) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Liu Guan-ting, Taipei, 11th) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen stated in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post that the KMT firmly upholds the "Constitution of the Republic of China" and democratic institutions. The future development of cross-strait relations must be based on peaceful means, respecting the will of the Taiwanese people and their welfare, and absolutely rejecting any form of coercion or war.
The KMT today issued a press release stating that Cheng Li-wen recently accepted an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, explaining the KMT's policies and positions on issues such as cross-strait relations, Taiwan Strait peace, national defense security, Taiwan-US relations, and the international situation.
Cheng Li-wen stated in the interview that cross-strait peace should not fluctuate repeatedly due to internal political changes in Taiwan, and the stability of the Taiwan Strait should not become a tool for short-term political manipulation. Peace must be built on continuous systems and mutual trust; only then can regional risks truly be reduced and the cross-strait relationship be prevented from falling into a vicious cycle.
Cheng Li-wen pointed out that the KMT firmly upholds the "Constitution of the Republic of China" and democratic institutions. The future development of cross-strait relations must be based on peaceful means, respecting the will of the Taiwanese people and their welfare, and absolutely rejecting any form of coercion or war.
Cheng Li-wen said that as the current situation in the Taiwan Strait continues to escalate, the international community is generally concerned about regional peace and stability. As a responsible political party, the KMT has always advocated reducing conflict risks through dialogue, exchange, and mutual trust, to prevent Taiwan from falling into a war crisis. As long as both sides return to the common political foundation of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, there will be an opportunity for cross-strait relations to resume peaceful exchanges and goodwill interactions.
Regarding her recent visit to mainland China, Cheng Li-wen stated that one of the important purposes of visiting mainland China was to prove to the international community that "peace is achievable" and that cross-strait relations are not destined only for confrontation and conflict. What the KMT pursues is a pragmatic path that can maintain long-term peace and stability, avoid the risk of war, and protect the safety and development interests of the Taiwanese people.
In terms of national defense and security, Cheng Li-wen emphasized that the KMT supports strengthening national defense, supports reasonable and effective arms purchases from the United States, and also supports enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities; but at the same time, it believes that any major defense budget should have specific content, transparent procedures, and effective oversight, and should not become a "blank authorization" lacking details.
Cheng Li-wen believes that a truly responsible national defense policy is not just about increasing numbers, but more importantly about how to truly transform every budget into effective combat power, including issues such as weapon delivery efficiency, strategic needs matching, and military personnel treatment and talent cultivation, all of which should be addressed pragmatically.
In addition, Cheng Li-wen also discussed her upcoming visit to the United States in the interview. She stated that in the future, she will continue to maintain close exchanges with US political circles, academia, and think tanks, to clearly explain the KMT's position on maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, supporting regional stability, and responsibly overseeing defense policy. (Edited by Su Chih-chung, Su Lung-chi) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.