Taiwan's Opposition Chief Advocates for Dialogue With China During US Visit
WHO:
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of Taiwan's Kuomintang Party, met with U.S. officials including Representatives Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tennessee) and Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana).
ABC News - Cheng Li-wun, leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang Party
ABC News - President Donald Trump
ABC News - Chinese leader Xi Jinping
ABC News - Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska
ABC News - Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.
ABC News - Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn.
WHAT:
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng completed her two-week visit to the United States on June 12, during which she promoted cross-strait peace and reiterated common KMT talking points.
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng expressed interest in U.S.-Taiwan collaboration on nuclear technologies.
ABC News - Cheng Li-wun stated her party is committed to the defense of Taiwan.
ABC News - Cheng emphasized that peace is possible by taking permanent secession off the table.
ABC News - Congress has given preliminary approval to a $14 billion arms sales package for Taiwan.
ABC News - The Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms sales package to Taiwan in December.
ABC News - Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature passed a $25 billion special defense budget, down from an original proposal of $40 billion.
WHERE:
ABC News - Washington, D.C.
ABC News - Taiwan
ABC News - Beijing
WHEN:
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng scheduled a meeting with the U.S. National Security Council on June 10, which was cancelled for unclear reasons.
ABC News - Cheng met Xi Jinping in Beijing in April.
ABC News - Cheng's visit to Washington lasted three days.
ABC News - Cheng's trip to the U.S. is part of a two-week visit.
WHY:
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng stated that the KMT does not oppose U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, despite previous complaints about the amount of money Taiwan spends on arms purchases.
ABC News - Cheng believes dialogue with Beijing is necessary for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
ABC News - Cheng's party objected to the initial defense budget proposal due to a lack of details.
HOW:
Institute for the Study of War - Cheng discussed arms sales to Taiwan, PRC military pressure targeting Taiwan, and the importance of U.S.-Taiwan transparency on arms procurement during her meetings.
ABC News - Cheng met with American lawmakers and scholars during her visit.
ABC News - Cheng described her meeting with Xi as “very gentle and very nice and very real.”
(UPDATED June 13, 2026 11:34 UTC)
Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of Taiwan's Kuomintang Party, recently wrapped up a two-week visit to the United States, where she met with U.S. officials, including Representatives Chuck Fleischmann and Senator Steve Daines, to discuss cross-strait peace and U.S.-Taiwan collaboration on nuclear technologies. During her meetings, Cheng emphasized that the KMT does not oppose U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, despite earlier concerns about defense spending, and she addressed issues related to PRC military pressure on Taiwan. Notably, a scheduled meeting with the U.S. National Security Council on June 10 was canceled for reasons that remain unclear.
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(UPDATED June 13, 2026 08:08 UTC)
Cheng Li-wun, the leader of Taiwan's Kuomintang Party, has reaffirmed her party's commitment to Taiwan's defense, emphasizing that peace is achievable by removing the idea of permanent secession from consideration. During her recent three-day visit to Washington, which is part of a two-week trip, Cheng met with American lawmakers and scholars, and described her meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing as “very gentle and very nice and very real.” Meanwhile, Congress has given preliminary approval to a $14 billion arms sales package for Taiwan, following the Trump administration's earlier approval of an $11 billion package in December, and Taiwan's legislature has passed a $25 billion special defense budget, reduced from an initial proposal of $40 billion.