In a recent development, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged for the advancement of "reunification" in a congratulatory message to the newly elected leader of Taiwan's primary opposition party.
This comes amidst allegations of Beijing's interference in the election. The newly elected leader, former legislator Cheng Li-wun, is set to assume the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) party on November 1. Her victory comes at a time of escalating tension with Beijing, which regards the democratically governed island as part of its territory, a claim vehemently disputed by Taiwan's government.
According to Reuters, the KMT has traditionally favored close ties with China and is Beijing's preferred dialogue partner. China has refused to engage in talks with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, labeling him a "separatist."
In his message to Cheng, Xi, acting in his capacity as the head of China's Communist Party, urged both parties to bolster their "common political foundation," as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
Xi also called for the unification of the majority of Taiwan's populace to deepen exchanges and cooperation, promote shared development, and advance national reunification. Cheng, in her response to Xi, did not explicitly mention unification with Beijing. Instead, she stated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait were "members of the Chinese nation," a phrase in Chinese that refers to ethnicity rather than nationality.
"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 party statement.
The KMT, despite losing the presidential election last year, along with its ally, the small Taiwan People's Party, holds the majority of seats in parliament. Cheng, 55, opposes Taiwan's increased defense spending, a key policy of Lai's, and won the leadership vote over the KMT establishment candidate, former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin.
The election was marred by allegations of Chinese interference, primarily from Jaw Shau-kong, a key supporter of Hau's and the KMT's vice presidential candidate last year. Jaw claimed that social media accounts had disseminated disinformation about Hau. However, China dismissed these allegations, stating that the election was a KMT matter and that online comments did not represent an official stance.
Jaw, in a Facebook post on Sunday, emphasized the need for the KMT to reduce pro-China influence and acknowledged that the majority of Taiwanese desire peaceful relations and dialogue with China. "The KMT must recognize that elections are held in Taiwan, and voters are in Taiwan, not mainland China," Jaw added.
Late on Saturday, DPP spokesperson Justin Wu alleged clear signs of Chinese interference in the KMT election. The KMT dismissed his comments with a statement asking: "Who is this?"
The recent developments in Taiwan's political landscape underscore the ongoing tension between Taiwan and China. The election of Cheng Li-wun, a leader who opposes increased defense spending and advocates for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, could potentially alter the dynamics of this relationship.
However, allegations of Chinese interference in the election process have cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the election, raising questions about the future of Taiwan's democracy and its relations with mainland China.
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