TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) expressed uncertainty about newly elected Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wen's (鄭麗文) ability to communicate with China's Communist Party but emphasized their shared commitment to safeguarding freedom and democracy Monday (Oct. 20). Cheng's election as KMT, Taiwan's main opposition party, (國民黨) chair has sparked controversy over her perceived pro-China stance.
Huang cited Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, (立法院) President Han Kuo-yu's (韓國瑜) National Day speech urging party collaboration, stating the Republic of China is our country, Taiwan is our home. He criticized the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's ruling party, (民進黨) for quickly labeling Cheng as pro-China, stressing Taiwan's need for dialogue, reconciliation, and coexistence. Huang pledged his TPP would maintain consistent stance with the new Kuomintang chair, highlighting reform bill efforts against divisive policies.
DPP spokesperson Justin Wu (吳崢) expressed expectations that Cheng would prioritize Taiwan's security over party interests and urged the Kuomintang to rationally supervise parliamentary debates. Wu reminded the Kuomintang of the zero-tolerance policy for national security threats, advocating bipartisan efforts to strengthen security and cautioning against collaborating with China for party gains.
Cheng's political journey began with the Democratic Progressive Party; she once advocated for Taiwan's independence in her youth and sat in the National Assembly, Taiwan's former constitutional body, (國民大會) for the DPP. She joined KMT in 2005 at Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan's (連戰) invitation, holding significant positions from KMT spokesperson to secretary-general of the KMT caucus in the Legislative Yuan (立法院). ◼
