Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun begins ‘journey of peace’ in Shanghai
Kuomintang chairwoman is leading a delegation on a six-day visit to mainland China, during which she’s expected to meet Xi Jinping
But Cheng, speaking ahead of her departure, called the visit a “journey of peace” and said both sides of the Taiwan Strait should seek dialogue and communication to resolve their differences.
“It is undeniable that the current international environment is volatile, with conflict spreading and public anxiety rising,” she said. “The Taiwan Strait has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous places, so we must ensure that ‘if the strait is safe, the world is safe’.”
The Taiwanese delegation arrived in Shanghai early on Tuesday afternoon before taking a high-speed train to Nanjing. They will visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Wednesday, returning to Shanghai later in the day, and travel to Beijing on Thursday.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was open as usual. Four honour guards rehearsed for Wednesday’s reception for Cheng under the supervision of a plain-clothes official, who confirmed the rehearsal to the South China Morning Post.
It showed the ceremony would include marching and a wreath presentation.
Cheng was greeted at the airport in Shanghai by Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, who announced last week that Xi had invited Cheng to visit mainland China.
Song accompanied Cheng on the train to Nanjing and said he had come to Shanghai “under instructions” from Xi, according to a KMT statement.
He said the visit aimed to promote cross-strait peace and he hoped it would be a success.
In response, Cheng said Taiwan was “closer to Shanghai than expected”, describing the visit as a “rare and valuable” opportunity, according to the statement.
The delegation will attend a banquet hosted by Song on Tuesday evening.
“Preserving peace is preserving Taiwan,” she said. “If you truly love Taiwan, you will seize every opportunity to prevent it from being engulfed in war.”
The visit comes as cross-strait relations remain strained, with official communication channels largely suspended and exchanges in areas ranging from tourism to trade significantly curtailed in recent years.
Cheng said one of the key aims of the trip was to demonstrate to the international community that dialogue remained possible.
“The most important message is to show the world that both sides hope to engage through peaceful dialogue, communication and exchange, to resolve differences and bring about the dividends of peace,” she said.
She added that the KMT had already conveyed its stance to Beijing and expected it to respond with goodwill – particularly after what she described as a “rapid freezing” of ties that had left industry struggling.
“Many forms of exchange have been obstructed or cut off, leaving all sectors in a very difficult situation,” she said. “We hope the other side can also show goodwill.”
But Cheng acknowledged the limits of what her party could achieve while in opposition, saying any comprehensive reopening of cross-strait exchanges would depend on the KMT returning to power.
“As the KMT is currently an opposition party, any concrete policy openings or the full restoration of exchanges would have to wait until 2028, when our party is back in government,” she said.
Her comments underscore the political dimension of the trip, which comes amid a debate within the self-governed island over how Taipei should manage ties with Beijing while balancing relations with Washington.
Cheng also used the occasion to call for dialogue at home, urging Taiwan’s political parties to move beyond confrontation and resolve the current legislative deadlock.
“If the KMT and the Communist Party can work towards reconciliation for peace, why cannot the ‘blue’ and ‘green’ camps in Taiwan do the same?” she said, referring to mainland-friendly and pro-independence parties on the island.
She added that political infighting had placed a heavy strain on lawmakers and the public, and called for a return to what she described as “rational competition” focused on people’s welfare.
The trip has drawn mixed reactions in Taiwan, with some viewing it as a pragmatic attempt to reduce tensions, while others have expressed concern over the political signals it may send.
Cheng acknowledged the scepticism about her trip but said she hoped it would demonstrate that peace was achievable.
“We may not be able to undo past conflicts, but we can prevent future war,” she said. “Peace is always possible, as long as we do not give up.”
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, its most prominent international backer, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.