Regarding the "Xi-Cheng Meeting" held on the 10th, Wang Hong-ren, a professor in the Department of Political Science at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, analyzed that the speech by Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Cheng Li-wen made significant concessions, even mentioning the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," which represents a step back in Taiwan's subjectivity narrative and is clearly in cooperation with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping.
According to Central News Agency, Wang Hong-ren said in an interview with the agency that the content of the Xi-Cheng Meeting was mostly as expected, with both sides having coordinated their scripts and remarks in advance. He believes the key point is that this visit was positioned as a “journey of peace,” intended to sharply contrast with the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) “anti-China, protect Taiwan” visit.
"One China, Respective Interpretations" and "Opposing Taiwan Independence"
Wang Hong-ren pointed out that in terms of the definition of the “1992 Consensus,” Cheng Li-wen had already departed from the KMT's traditional definition. Following the 1992 Consensus, it is no longer “One China, respective interpretations,” but rather “opposing Taiwan independence.” Opposition to Taiwan independence has become the political foundation across the strait, and since the DPP and the CCP do not share this foundation, they are unable to engage with each other.
He said that, beyond expectations, “it actually seems like Cheng Li-wen is even more eager for unification than Xi Jinping,” especially as Cheng Li-wen explicitly mentioned her hope to “institutionalize” the achievements of this journey for peace. This carries a strong implication: “The KMT is not the ruling party, so what is the purpose of discussing this with the CCP and trying to institutionalize it?”
Wang Hong-ren stated that another unexpected point was Cheng Li-wen's mention that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a rejuvenation for the people on both sides of the strait.” This statement causes the subjectivity established during Taiwan's democratization process “to regress completely,” reverting to the KMT’s earliest narrative. “This is obviously in cooperation with Xi Jinping.”
He believes that Cheng Li-wen’s speech made “very significant concessions.” While at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, there was still mention of the “Republic of China,” but at the Xi-Cheng Meeting she spoke of the “overall interests of the Chinese nation,” causing the subjectivity of the “Republic of China,” which the KMT originally hoped to leverage, to also disappear.
Wang Hong-ren emphasized that everyone thinks peace is good, but peace cannot be based on illusions; peace cannot simply rely on the other side, and Taiwan still needs to have its own defense capabilities. After Cheng Li-wen returns to Taiwan, attention should be paid to the KMT's attitude toward arms sales proposals.