Counting gains from Beijing, Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun eyes US trip in June

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), is finalizing plans for a US trip in June, aiming to capitalize on political momentum from her April meeting with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. The visit is expected to span more than 10 days and will include engagements with Washington think tanks, overseas Taiwanese communities, and potentially US policymakers. Cheng has framed the trip as an opportunity for substantive strategic dialogue rather than ceremonial diplomacy.

In recent interviews, Cheng outlined what she calls a "new road map" for cross-strait stability that rejects the "false binary" of choosing between Beijing and Washington. She argues her approach preserves Taiwan's strategic autonomy while aligning with US interests, offering an alternative to current tensions. The trip tests whether she can gain US support for her centrist stance and influence cross-strait policy ahead of Taiwan's 2028 presidential election. Her party views this as a critical moment to shift the narrative from confrontation to managed engagement.