THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Taiwan-US Relations - TaiwanPlus New KMT Leader Reportedly to Meet US Representatives in Taiwan Reporter/Provider - Patrick Chen/Alan Lu Publish Date - 11/10/2025 Watch On App Description Transcript The new chair of the main opposition Kuomintang is reportedly set to meet with officials from the US' de facto embassy in Taiwan. This comes amid a widening partisan divide over how much to spend on the country's defense. The debate has alarmed some in Washington, though experts say the US has not changed its strategy toward Taiwan. KMT Taiwan Strait US U.S.-Taiwan Ties Taiwan Diplomacy Taiwan Republic of China Cheng Li-wun Party’s Head to Meet AIT Amid Defense Spending Debate REPORTER: I’m at the American Institute in Taiwan, the US’ de facto embassy here. Officials from this building are set to meet with the new head of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang, Cheng Li-wun. That’s according to two sources who spoke to TaiwanPlus on condition of anonymity. REPORTER: This comes amid fierce debate between the KMT and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party over how much to spend on Taiwan’s defense. Taiwan is reviewing a special defense budget that one DPP lawmaker says could reach as high …

Leader of Taiwan's KMT Cheng Li-wun talks Beijing relations in ... The two-week US trip by Taiwan’s main opposition leader offered Washington a different take on cross-Strait relations, although whether it will change anything remains in question, some experts said. Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun landed back in Taipei early on Tuesday, concluding a five-stop visit she called “beyond expectations”. Cheng began her trip on June 1, visiting San Francisco , Boston , New York, Washington and Los Angeles. She met with representatives from several think tanks and universities, and in each city met with Chinatown communities and attended dinners for Taiwanese Americans. The 56-year-old party official also held closed-door meetings in Washington with several influential senators and representatives, including Senate Armed Services Committee member Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska; House Foreign Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California; and East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim, a Republican also from California. Cheng also met with Republican Senator Steve Daines from Montana, who is widely seen as an ally of US President Donald Trump. …

Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk : NPR Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Threads Bluesky Copy Link A television shows the meeting between Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at a restaurant in Taipei on April 10, 2026. I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images WASHINGTON D.C. – Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, said that during her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the issue of “reunification” was never discussed. “Due to the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, we really hoped that we’d be able to restart cross-strait dialogue and negotiation, and to create peace,” Cheng told NPR in an interview. “At the moment, we do not have the conditions to talk about this [reunification] issue.” Cheng is on a 15-day trip to the United States, where the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) hopes to convince the American public of her approach seeking greater engagement with Beijing. She said that the devastation of the Chinese civil war of the 20th century, fought between her party and the Chinese Communists, was …

Japanese PM's provocative remarks spark strong criticism in Taiwan TAIPEI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Across Taiwan, political figures, opinion leaders and media have condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's provocative remarks on Taiwan as unwise and harmful to the interests of people on the island seeking peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Takaichi recently said that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Despite multiple representations from China, the Japanese side has refused to retract the remarks. Former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, Ma Ying-jeou, said that Takaichi's attitude towards the Taiwan question will inevitably arouse associations with the revival of Japanese right-wing militarism. Cross-Strait issues should not be subject to foreign intervention, Ma said, emphasizing that they must be resolved by the people on both sides of the Strait. "Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait have the wisdom and ability to settle differences peacefully." Hung Hsiu-chu, another former chairperson of the Chinese K…

Taiwan's opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing | AP News In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right shakes hands with Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP) Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun reacts during a press conference held in Beijing, Friday, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaks during a meeting with Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun, unseen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP) In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from right, holds talks with Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun, third from left, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Li Xiang/Xinhua via AP) BEIJING (AP) —Taiwan’s opposition leadermet Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the first such encounter in over a decade, with both sides affirming the need for maintaining peace around the self-…

NPR National News Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk NPR | By Scott Tong , Ashish Valentine Published June 11, 2026 at 11:53 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email I-HWA CHENG / AFP via Getty Images A television shows the meeting between Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at a restaurant in Taipei on April 10, 2026. WASHINGTON D.C. – Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party, said that during her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the issue of "reunification" was never discussed. "Due to the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, we really hoped that we'd be able to restart cross-strait dialogue and negotiation, and to create peace," Cheng told NPR in an interview. "At the moment, we do not have the conditions to talk about this [reunification] issue." Cheng is on a 15-day trip to the United States, where the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) hopes to convince the American public of her approach seeking greater engagement with Beijing. She said that the devastation of the Chinese civil war of the 20th century, fought between her party and the…

NPR National News Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk NPR | By Scott Tong , Ashish Valentine Published June 11, 2026 at 11:53 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email I-HWA CHENG / AFP via Getty Images A television shows the meeting between Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at a restaurant in Taipei on April 10, 2026. WASHINGTON D.C. – Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party, said that during her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the issue of "reunification" was never discussed. "Due to the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, we really hoped that we'd be able to restart cross-strait dialogue and negotiation, and to create peace," Cheng told NPR in an interview. "At the moment, we do not have the conditions to talk about this [reunification] issue." Cheng is on a 15-day trip to the United States, where the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) hopes to convince the American public of her approach seeking greater engagement with Beijing. She said that the devastation of the Chinese civil war of the 20th century, fought between her party and the…

Xi Jinping calls for 'reunification' with Taiwan in message to newly ... Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to advance “reunification” in a message congratulating Cheng Li-wun, the newly elected leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). Xi, speaking in his role as head of the Communist Party of China, told Cheng that both parties should work together to “strengthen their common political foundation,” according to the official Xinhua news agency. “The two parties should unite the majority of people in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost common development, and advance national reunification,” Xi said, as reported byReuters. Cheng, a former lawmaker who takes charge of the KMT on November 1, did not mention reunification in her reply to Xi. She said both sides of the Taiwan Strait were “members of the Chinese nation,” using a phrase referring to shared ethnicity rather than political union. “Both parties should, in light of the current situation, strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation on the existing foundation, and promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Cheng said, according to a KMT statement cited…

NPR National News Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk NPR | By Scott Tong , Ashish Valentine Published June 11, 2026 at 11:53 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email I-HWA CHENG / AFP via Getty Images A television shows the meeting between Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at a restaurant in Taipei on April 10, 2026. WASHINGTON D.C. – Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party, said that during her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the issue of "reunification" was never discussed. "Due to the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, we really hoped that we'd be able to restart cross-strait dialogue and negotiation, and to create peace," Cheng told NPR in an interview. "At the moment, we do not have the conditions to talk about this [reunification] issue." Cheng is on a 15-day trip to the United States, where the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) hopes to convince the American public of her approach seeking greater engagement with Beijing. She said that the devastation of the Chinese civil war of the 20th century, fought between her party and the…

Taiwan president faces renewed pressure over cross-strait relations Share Share China initiated a new wave of influence campaigns against Taiwan over the past few days, as its top official overseeing Taiwan affairs reiterated Beijing’s “resolve and ability to shatter” the island’s attempt to seek independence while promising to welcome more Taiwanese people to participate in cross-strait exchanges. During hiskeynote addressat the 16th Straits Forum in the southern coastal city of Xiamen on June 14, China’s No.4 official, Wang Huning, said, “Separatists seeking Taiwan independence,” an indirect reference to the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and harm the interests and well-being of Taiwanese people. “Their actions will push Taiwan to the brink of war and bring disaster to people on the island,” he said. While he renewed warnings directed at Taiwan’s new government, which only took office last month, Wang saidBeijing would welcome more Taiwanese peopletaking part in cross-strait exchanges. Some analysts say Wang’s comments reflect Beijing’s long-standing practice of using a “carrot and stick" strategy to inf…

Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te urges China to stop its 'intimidation Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te urged China to stop its hostile political and military threats against the island and work toward regional peace. Lai, who was sworn in on Monday, said in his inaugural address that Taiwan "cannot make any concessions on democracy and freedom." In his speech, the 64-year-old doctor turned politician urged Beijing to "choose dialogue over confrontation." Lai took over from his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who is stepping down after eight years because of the two-term limit on the presidency. His vice president, Hsiao Bi-khim, a former de facto Taiwan ambassador to the United States, was also sworn in on Monday. Laiwon January's electionthat ushered in an unprecedented third presidential term for the Democratic Progressive Party. China has repeatedly denounced Lai as a "stubborn worker for Taiwan independence" and a dangerous separatist. Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and Chinese President Xi Jinping regards reunification with the mainland "a historical inevitability." "I also want to call on China to cease their political and mili…

Cheng Li-wun talks Trump, Taiwan and a future leadership run Taiwan’s main opposition leader hailed US President Donald Trump’s recent comments opposing the island’s independence as a “relatively positive first step” towards reducing tensions. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), told the South China Morning Post on Sunday in an exclusive interview: “The ‘one China’ principle and opposition to Taiwan independence have always been the Kuomintang’s stance. “On this political basis, the status quo across the Taiwan Strait can be maintained, and...

KMT chair discusses defense, energy with US lawmakers - Taiwan News / Cheng Li-wun says party open to US arms procurement cooperation Jun. 11, 2026 15:11 KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun. (CNA photo) TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) met with several US lawmakers on Wednesday after arriving in Washington, DC, the day before. Cheng held talks with Senator Steve Daines and Representatives John Rose, Chuck Fleischmann, and Thomas Suozzi, CNAreported. Cheng told reporters Wednesday that some lawmakers were concerned about Taiwan’s defense budget and arms procurement. She said she hoped to clarify the Kuomintang’s position, which is that “we are not opposed to arms purchases from the United States … we actually value cooperation with the US on arms procurement,” per CNA. Reports did not mention whether the KMT chair discussed her party’s reluctance to fund Taiwan’s domestic drone industry during the meetings. Cheng said the lawmakers she met also raised concerns about Taiwan’s energy and nuclear power issues. She said they were frustrated with the DPP government’s anti-nuclear stance and welcomed the KMT’s support for nuclear energy, per CNA. Cheng said the KMT hopes t…

Cheng Li-wun talks Trump, Taiwan independence and a future leadership run Taiwan’s main opposition leader hailed US President Donald Trump’s recent comments opposing the island’s independence as a “relatively positive first step” towards reducing tensions. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), told the South China Morning Post on Sunday in an exclusive interview: “The ‘one China’ principle and opposition to Taiwan independence have always been the Kuomintang’s stance. “On this political basis, the status quo across the Taiwan Strait can be maintained, and...

KMT leader says Taiwan can preserve peace by avoiding ‘de jure independence’ Taiwan’s main opposition leader said cross-strait peace can be maintained as long as Taipei did not move towards “de jure independence”, during her trip in the United States. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), attended a closed-door seminar at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government on Thursday, according to a KMT statement on Friday. Cheng told the seminar that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which she described as the greatest common denominator...

'Charismatic but naive': Taiwanese opposition KMT chief's peacemaker ... News analysis ‘Charismatic but naive’: Taiwanese opposition KMT chief’s peacemaker pitch leaves US unimpressed Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox KMT leader Cheng Li-wun being welcomed on June 8 with lion dance performances at New York’s Chinatown by the overseas Taiwanese community. PHOTO: KUOMINTANG Bhagyashree Garekar and Yip Wai Yee Published Jun 13, 2026, 04:15 PM Updated Jun 13, 2026, 09:33 PM Listen Summarise Taiwan's KMT leader Cheng Li-wun faced a lukewarm US reception. Request to meet US President Donald Trump did not materialise; A scheduled meeting with officials at the National Security Council did not pan out either. Cheng advocates institutionalising peace with Beijing, but analysts challenged her confidence that Taiwan could avoid Hong Kong's fate and maintain autonomy. US officials and experts viewed Cheng's Beijing-friendly stance as naive and idealistic, doubting Beijing's commitment to peaceful unification. AI generated PHILADELPHIA/TAIPEI – Ambitious, energetic and perhaps a bit naive. That might be a fair take on how Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly opposition leader Chen…

Taiwan's opposition leader touts talks with China as necessary for ... Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), speaks with reporters during a news conference on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), speaks with reporters during a news conference on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), speaks with reporters during a news conference on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), speaks with reporters during a news conference on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Cheng Li-wun, the chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), speaks with reporters during a news conference on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly oppo…

KMT chief Cheng Li-wun meets Trump ally Steve Daines in Washington The leader of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang met Trump ally Steve Daines and other US lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday. In those talks, KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun outlined the party’s position on defence and energy, saying her party did not oppose American arms sales to the island, according to Taiwan’s United Daily News. Her meetings on Wednesday also included talks with Republican representatives John Rose and Chuck Fleischmann, and Democratic Representative Thomas Suozzi. According...