Taiwan Opposition Leader Cheng Li-wun Arrives in China for Historic Peace Mission and Talks with Xi Jinping

KMT-Mainland China Diplomatic Engagement·April 6 – April 8, 2026

20 days ago

Taiwan Opposition Leader Cheng Li-wun Arrives in China for Historic Peace Mission and Talks with Xi Jinping

Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun arrived in China on April 7 for a five-day visit she calls a "journey for peace". This is the first time a major Taiwanese party head has visited the mainland in ten years to reduce the risk of conflict. Cheng began her trip by visiting the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen in Nanjing and calling for reconciliation between the two sides amid high tensions. Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Cheng to visit ahead of his planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The KMT delegation plans to discuss Taiwan's political status and cross-strait relations during their stay. While Cheng seeks dialogue, Taiwan's defense ministry reported on warship deployments as she departed for the mainland.

Taiwan opposition leader heads to China in what she calls a 'journey for peace'Rare Beijing visit shifts calculations on US-China warOn rare China visit, Taiwan's opposition leader calls for reconciliation

Key Statements

BBloomberg Business

“KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun begins a six-day visit to China to promote diplomacy as a deterrent while her party stalls Taiwan's $40 billion defense expansion.”

This article links the diplomatic visit to the specific $40 billion defense funding delay.

RReuters

“KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun travels to China for a peace mission... amid reports of increased Chinese warship deployments around Taiwan.”

This provides the military context of Chinese warship activity during the diplomatic mission.

News

On rare China visit, Taiwan's opposition leader calls for reconciliation

Al Jazeera OnlineCenter Left

Rare Beijing visit shifts calculations on US-China war

NewsweekCenter

Taiwan opposition leader visits China on what she calls a 'journey to peace'

PBS.orgCenter Left

Taiwan opposition leader arrives in China on what she calls a 'journey to peace'

Washington TimesCenter Right

Taiwanese opposition leader to meet China's Xi in a test of diplomatic skill

Al Jazeera OnlineCenter Left

Cheng Li-wun: Taiwan opposition Kuomintang leader visits China for expected meeting with Xi Jinping

BBCCenter

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.