The meeting between KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is slated to take place April 7. A number of Taiwan’s top officials spoke on the matter this Tuesday. 

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that visiting China under the banner of the One-China Principle and 1992 Consensus is bound to be unfavorable to Taiwan. He emphasized that any engagement with the other side must comply with the Cross-Strait Act. The premier also pointed out that the meeting date, which was agreed upon by both the KMT and CCP, happens to coincide with Taiwan’s Freedom of Speech Day; he noted ironically that the visit is to a country without freedom of speech.

“Surveys have shown that the majority of Taiwanese do not agree that the so-called 1992 Consensus is indeed a consensus. Nor do the people of the world adhere to the One-China Principle. Should this visit validate these ideas, then negotiations naturally will not favor Taiwan,” Cho said. 

For his part, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) warned against becoming a weak link in collective deterrence. He reiterated in an interview on Tuesday that the ministry’s core position is to strengthen self-defense capabilities and to prepare for war in order to prevent war, pursuing peace through strength.

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) indicated that the CCP continues increasing hostility toward Taiwan and is using varied means to increase pressure. He urged the KMT delegation visiting China to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and dignity and protect Taiwan’s democratic values. He stressed that no group may engage in political agreements or matters involving public authority with the other side without government authorization. 

The MAC stated Monday that given the sensitivity of the matter they will be closely monitoring developments. They urged Cheng not to accommodate the CCP’s political agenda and to avoid embracing united front tactics.