Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated that the US invited Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, a member of the Kuomintang (KMT), to visit America with the goal of dispelling the impression left by KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen’s US trip, which gave outsiders the sense that 'Taiwan supports One China, the 1992 Consensus, and opposes Taiwan independence.'
According to Taiwan's Liberty Times, in a Saturday (June 20) interview aired on FTV's “News Observation Station,” Lin Chia-lung said that Cheng Li-wen claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping holds goodwill towards Taiwan, and felt wronged for being misunderstood. Such statements, he said, 'are simply incredible.'
Lin Chia-lung commented, 'Even an abusive partner may think they're good to you.' He pointed out that China's verbal threats and military intimidation against Taiwan have only increased. These statements not only seem inconsistent with the facts to the outside world but also highlight Beijing's willingness to use any means.
He stated that in reality, only the Taiwanese people can decide their future, and their way of life, free from Chinese rule, must not be misrepresented. If Taiwan submits, they avoid violence; if they do not cooperate, they face coercion.
Lin Chia-lung noted that the international community sees all this very clearly, which is also why Cheng Li-wen’s recent US visit has received a generally negative assessment abroad.
He pointed out that the US understands Taiwanese public opinion very well. Recently, amid obstruction by Cheng Li-wen and a few others, budget provisions for projects like drones in Taiwan’s Special Defense Regulations were cut. Based on this, the US Congress specifically invited Han Kuo-yu to lead a cross-party legislative delegation during the session. Lin analyzed that although Han is a KMT member, the cross-party delegation he leads can present a more moderate stance and better represent the majority view of Taiwanese society.
Lin Chia-lung believes that this US arrangement is, to some extent, aimed at dispelling the impression left during Cheng Li-wen’s previous US visit that 'Taiwan supports One China, the 1992 Consensus, and opposes Taiwan independence.' This move will not only help present Taiwan's genuine mainstream opinion to US public opinion, but will also have a positive impact on future Taiwan-US relations.
He pointed out that the US understands Taiwanese public opinion very well. Recently, amid obstruction by Cheng Li-wen and a few others, budget provisions for projects like drones in Taiwan’s Special Defense Regulations were cut. Based on this, the US Congress specifically invited Han Kuo-yu to lead a cross-party legislative delegation during the session. Lin analyzed that although Han is a KMT member, the cross-party delegation he leads can present a more moderate stance and better represent the majority view of Taiwanese society.
Lin Chia-lung believes that this US arrangement is, to some extent, aimed at dispelling the impression left during Cheng Li-wen’s previous US visit that 'Taiwan supports One China, the 1992 Consensus, and opposes Taiwan independence.' This move will not only help present Taiwan's genuine mainstream opinion to US public opinion, but will also have a positive impact on future Taiwan-US relations.
On Saturday night, Han Kuo-yu and a cross-party delegation of legislators departed for the US, with their first stop being a direct flight to Phoenix to visit the TSMC plant. They are expected to arrive in Washington, DC, on the evening of June 23 (US Eastern Time), and will spend three days meeting with US Congressional and government officials.
This is Han Kuo-yu’s second visit to Washington since becoming Speaker of the Legislative Yuan; last time, he represented Taiwan President Lai Ching-te at US President Trump's inauguration.
According to Taiwan’s United Daily News, the top-level Taiwanese government visits to Washington most often interact with administrative agencies such as the US State Department, the White House National Security Council, and the Pentagon. Han’s cross-party delegation is reported to be receiving a high-level welcome from the US side, with expected discussion topics focusing on arms sales, security, and trade.
The accompanying legislators include KMT lawmakers Lin Ssu-ming, Lai Shih-pao, and Yang Chiung-ying; DPP lawmakers Chen Kuan-ting, Lee Po-yi, and Kuo Yu-ching; as well as Taiwan People’s Party legislator Hung Yu-hsiang. The delegation is expected to return to Taiwan on June 26.