Attending Student Event, Cheng Li-wun Discusses Democratic System and Values
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun spoke at a student event about the essence of democracy. She told students that democracy is not about who has the stronger fist or more money, but a process of persuasion and compromise that requires an open mind to respect different opinions.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 19:42
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(CNA, Taipei, 16th, by Wang Cheng-chung) KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun attended a student event today, stating that democracy is not about who has the stronger fist or more money, but a process of persuasion, being persuaded, and compromise. She emphasized that democracy must have full freedom of speech and press to allow information to be fully conveyed, and one must always be ready to listen to and respect different opinions.
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun attended the National High School and College Student Self-Governance Organization Parliamentary Affairs Annual Conference today. She stated that parliamentary procedure is very important, being the vital soul of a democratic assembly. In a democratic society, from a meeting of dozens to the parliamentary operations of hundreds in the legislature, a set of effective rules is needed.
She pointed out that the biggest worry about democracy is inefficiency, thus it is necessary to build consensus. This consensus will not be a permanent, eternal, or final answer, but it must be an answer that meets the current needs. At a specific moment, what kind of policies, decisions, and arrangements are needed must be concluded through effective discussion; otherwise, it will result in daily internal friction, making it impossible to move forward.
Cheng Li-wun stated that democracy is not about who has the stronger fist or more money, but about persuading others with "emotion and reason," and through listening, understanding the other party's different core values and priorities. "Democracy is a process of persuasion, being persuaded, and also a process of compromise."
She said that now everyone tends to stay in their own echo chamber, sometimes not wanting to even look at certain information, or not having the chance to be exposed to it at all. Therefore, one must maintain an open mind and be always ready to listen to and respect different opinions.
Cheng Li-wun said that the democratic process is sometimes not a one-step achievement. If one pursues a one-step solution for everything, it might become a distant goal and fail to achieve the best conclusion. Under compromise and phased consensus, if a consensus can be reached for the moment, move forward first, and then slowly adjust in the next phase, pushing forward another step. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun attended the National High School and College Student Self-Governance Organization Parliamentary Affairs Annual Conference today. She stated that parliamentary procedure is very important, being the vital soul of a democratic assembly. In a democratic society, from a meeting of dozens to the parliamentary operations of hundreds in the legislature, a set of effective rules is needed.
She pointed out that the biggest worry about democracy is inefficiency, thus it is necessary to build consensus. This consensus will not be a permanent, eternal, or final answer, but it must be an answer that meets the current needs. At a specific moment, what kind of policies, decisions, and arrangements are needed must be concluded through effective discussion; otherwise, it will result in daily internal friction, making it impossible to move forward.
Cheng Li-wun stated that democracy is not about who has the stronger fist or more money, but about persuading others with "emotion and reason," and through listening, understanding the other party's different core values and priorities. "Democracy is a process of persuasion, being persuaded, and also a process of compromise."
She said that now everyone tends to stay in their own echo chamber, sometimes not wanting to even look at certain information, or not having the chance to be exposed to it at all. Therefore, one must maintain an open mind and be always ready to listen to and respect different opinions.
Cheng Li-wun said that the democratic process is sometimes not a one-step achievement. If one pursues a one-step solution for everything, it might become a distant goal and fail to achieve the best conclusion. Under compromise and phased consensus, if a consensus can be reached for the moment, move forward first, and then slowly adjust in the next phase, pushing forward another step. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516