‘Unite for reunification’: Xi’s message to Taiwan opposition leader sparks political stir in Taipei

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for renewed efforts to advance “reunification” with Taiwan in a congratulatory message to the newly elected leader of the island’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), whose election has drawn scrutiny amid allegations of Beijing’s interference.

Former lawmaker Cheng Li-wun, who won Saturday’s leadership race and is set to take charge of the KMT on November 1, takes office at a time of heightened cross-strait tensions. Beijing continues to regard Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taipei rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

In his message, Xi — in his capacity as head of the Communist Party of China — said the KMT and the Communist Party should “consolidate their common political foundation” and “unite the vast majority of people in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost common development, and advance national reunification,” according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Cheng, in her reply, avoided any reference to reunification, saying instead that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were “members of the Chinese nation,” an expression referring to shared ethnicity rather than political identity.

The KMT has long supported closer ties with Beijing and remains China’s preferred interlocutor, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under President Lai Ching-te maintains that Taiwan’s future should be decided solely by its people.

”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.

ACCUSATIONS OF CHINESE INTERFERENCE

While the KMT lost the presidential election last year, the party and its ally, the small Taiwan People’s Party, together hold the most seats in parliament.

Cheng, 55, opposes Taiwan increasing defence spending, a key policy plank of Lai’s, and won the leadership vote over the KMT establishment candidate, former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin.

Accusations of Chinese interference in the election by a key supporter of Hau’s, the KMT’s vice presidential candidate last year, Jaw Shau-kong, overshadowed the campaign. Jaw said social media accounts had spread disinformation about Hau.

China said on Wednesday that the election was a KMT matter, and that online comments did not represent an official stance.

Writing on his Facebook account on Sunday, Jaw said the KMT must reduce pro-China influence and that the majority of Taiwanese desire peaceful relations and dialogue with China.

”The KMT must recognise that elections are held in Taiwan, and voters are in Taiwan, not mainland China,” Jaw added.

Late on Saturday, DPP spokesperson Justin Wu said there were clear signs of Chinese interference in the KMT election.

His comments were dismissed by the KMT, which responded with a statement saying: ”Who is this?”