Diplomatic High-Wire Act: Taiwanese Opposition Leader Meets Xi Jinping

A High-Stakes Summit in Beijing

TAIPEI – Cheng Li-wun, the newly elected chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), arrived in China on Tuesday for a landmark six-day visit. The trip, culminating in a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, is being viewed by analysts as a "make-or-break" moment for the KMT’s political future and its prospects in the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.

Before her departure from Taipei, Cheng emphasized that her mission is one of peace. She told reporters that the purpose of the delegation is to demonstrate that Taiwan and China "are not destined for war, nor do they need to remain on the brink of military conflict."

Navigating the 'Father of Modern China' and Political Pitfalls

The itinerary began in Nanjing, where Cheng visited the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen. As the founder of the Republic of China, Sun remains a rare unifying figure, revered by both the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This symbolic stop precedes the more sensitive diplomatic engagement in Beijing scheduled for the end of the week.

The context of this meeting is starkly different from previous KMT-CCP summits. While former President Ma Ying-jeou met Xi in 2015 and again in 2024 as a private citizen, the political landscape in Taiwan has shifted toward an increasingly distinct national identity.

“Taiwanese nationalism has surged over the past decade,” says Sanho Chung, a political scientist at National Cheng Kung University. While the KMT maintains a strong grip on local governance, it has suffered three consecutive presidential defeats to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates for a sovereign identity and closer ties with Western democracies.

Dialogue vs. Deterrence

The timing of Cheng’s trip follows a period of heightened regional tension. In December 2025, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted massive live-fire exercises simulating a blockade of Taiwan. With global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East stretching U.S. resources, and uncertainty regarding future American foreign policy, some Taiwanese voters find the prospect of de-escalation through dialogue attractive.

“If Chairperson Cheng can have cordial photo ops with Xi Jinping, the KMT can use that to argue dialogue is more effective than deterrence,” explains Wen-ti Sung, a fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub.

However, the "optics" of the trip are a minefield. To succeed, Cheng must:

• Avoid appearing to capitulate to Beijing’s territorial claims.
• Secure a commitment to peaceful negotiations.
• Maintain the "status quo" preferred by the majority of the Taiwanese electorate.

Domestic Skepticism and Party Rivalries

The DPP remains critical of the mission, labeling it a propaganda win for Beijing. More concerning for Cheng, however, is the skepticism within her own party. Moderate KMT figures, such as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen—both potential 2028 presidential contenders—are reportedly watching the trip for any missteps that could alienate mainstream voters.

Public sentiment also appears cautious. A recent poll by My Formosa revealed that 56.1% of respondents believe the meeting could be more harmful than helpful to the KMT’s election prospects, compared to just 21.6% who view it as a positive move.

As the CCP continues to maintain that it will "reunite" with Taiwan—by force if necessary—Cheng Li-wun is walking a diplomatic tightrope. Her ability to return to Taipei having "preserved sovereignty" while lowering the temperature in the Taiwan Strait will determine if this trip is a masterstroke of diplomacy or a political liability.