American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said meaningful cross-strait dialogue must include representatives from all of Taiwan’s political parties. His remarks come as KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文)’s 6-day trip to China concluded Sunday, on which she met and spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). By comparison, the Chinese government refuses to speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on the grounds that he is a “separatist.”

Speaking to Rti on Friday, AIT Director Greene said that the U.S. supports cross-strait dialogue and hopes to resolve any differences peacefully without coercion in a way acceptable to both sides. 

Further responding to these reports during a talk show on Saturday, he said that [the United States] expects China to “maintain open communication channels with ​all of Taiwan's political parties, especially the leaders elected by the Taiwanese people.” 

Reuters reported that a U.S. State Department spokesperson said the United States opposes any unilateral change to the status quo and urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan. Despite this, during Cheng’s visit, Xi said China will “absolutely not tolerate” Taiwan independence, and called for more effort toward “reunification.” Cheng stated that her trip was a “peace mission” to ease tensions. 

Cheng’s visit to China came at a tense time in Taiwan, as both the national and Cabinet-proposed defense budgets remain stalled in the Legislature. While her own party has called the trip a great success, it has been criticized by members of the ruling DPP party and the Mainland Affairs Council, who see this as political favoritism and theatrics.