World does not need a crisis over Taiwan, opposition leader says ahead of China trip

At a time of international turbulence the world does not need a crisis over Taiwan, the leader of the island's largest opposition party said on Wednesday ahead of a trip to China, adding she is seeking reconciliation.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), is travelling to China starting Tuesday for six days at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military and political pressure against the government of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing views as a "separatist". He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Speaking at a weekly party meeting in Taipei, Cheng said of her trip that Taiwanese people do not want Taiwan to be one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints.

"What we are promoting is peace and reconciliation, including reconciliation between the ruling and opposition parties within Taiwan, and reconciliation and peace across the Taiwan Strait," she said.

"No one wants to see the Taiwan Strait once again fall into a tense military crisis at a time when the international situation is already turbulent."

Cheng's trip comes against the backdrop of a stalled $40 billion supplemental defence budget, as Taiwan's opposition-dominated parliament holds up Lai's U.S.-backed proposal, with the KMT insisting it supports defence — but not "blank cheques."

Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said this week that China's desire to "annex" the island would never change just because of interactions between a political party or particular person.

CHINA'S 'REUNIFICATION' PUSH

Earlier on Wednesday in Beijing, Zhang Han, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not give further details on Cheng's trip, which will take in Beijing, Shanghai and the eastern province of Jiangsu.

Zhang told reporters that the visit reflects the commitment of the Communist Party and KMT to "seek peace".

Since last month - and the outbreak of war in the Middle East - China has renewed its push to sell Taiwan on the benefits of rule from Beijing, touting energy security and even a proposed "rapid transit link" across the strait.

"Peaceful reunification will create enormous opportunities for Taiwan's economic and social development and bring tangible benefits to the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots - this is its greatest appeal," Zhang told the same news conference.

Opinion polls in Taiwan have repeatedly shown minimal support for accepting Beijing’s sovereignty under its "one country, two systems" model.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

-Ben Blanchard and Beijing newsroom/Reuters