Taiwan Opposition Leader Addresses US Concerns on China Engagement

• •Cheng Li-wun is on a US trip to clarify the KMT's stance on China.
• •The KMT reduced its defense budget proposal from $40 billion to $25 billion.
• •Cheng emphasized that dialogue with China does not mean compromising Taiwan's defense.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT), is on a two-week trip to the US to clarify her party's pro-engagement stance towards China. During her visit, she met with nine US Congress members and various think tank representatives to address misunderstandings regarding the KMT's approach. The KMT has faced criticism for reducing a proposed $40 billion defense budget to $25 billion, which some US lawmakers view as dangerous. Cheng emphasized that seeking dialogue with China does not equate to compromising Taiwan's defense or democracy. She also noted suggestions from US experts for the KMT to propose its own defense spending legislation. Cheng's meetings aimed to present a more accurate portrayal of the KMT and her intentions. The US remains Taiwan's key arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Cheng's remarks come amid heightened tensions between Taiwan and China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.