Cheng Li-wun, leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), will leave for the United States on Monday for a two-week visit.
The visit comes two months after his visit to China, where he met President Xi Jinping and spoke about the need to work to “promote reconciliation across the strait and build regional prosperity and peace.”
China views independently ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to take it back.
Cheng may face some tough questions
Since the US is Taiwan’s primary military backer, Cheng is likely to be questioned over his role in blocking the Taiwanese government’s plan to spend about $40 billion (€34 billion) on arms, including US weapons.
Asked about his willingness to meet US President Donald Trump, Cheng said at a press conference, “I am certainly very interested.”
He said he was prepared to meet with anyone who was “conducive to peace” and had a strong position of authority, just as he had met with the Chinese leader.
Reuters news agency quoted Cheng as saying, “The same applies to President Trump. Whatever is helpful for peace, I am willing to do; whoever is helpful for peace, I am willing to meet with anyone – let alone the most important decision-maker and leader, who is the President of the United States.”
What else to expect during Cheng’s visit
Cheng is expected to visit San Francisco, Boston, New York, Washington and Los Angeles.
As per his itinerary, he plans to meet US lawmakers, government officials as well as various think tanks and supporters.
Ahead of his visit, Cheng said he hoped his party could play an important role in regional peace efforts and “earn deeper trust from the United States.”
Edited by: Natalie Muller
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