Taiwan Opposition Leader's Visit to Mainland China: Peace Mission with a Political Purpose |
Taiwan Opposition Leader’s Visit to Mainland China: Peace Mission with a Political Purpose
When Cheng Li-wun traveled to Beijing at the personal invitation of Xi Jinping, she brought more to Beijing than a desire for peace: she brought an alternative strategy for Taiwan’s survival. It is impossible to fully realize the importance of such a move for Taipei, Washington, and regional stability in Asia.
Why is this so important? First, to answer this question, one should not rely on the usual Taiwan binary of independence vs. unification, the US and China as the key players, hawks vs. doves, etc. Such an approach limits the full complexity and richness of events. Chinese civilization does not play with binary categories, but with nuances. This was not simply a concession to China but rather a strategically thought-out move by an astute politician who believes that Taiwan’s security depends not only on weapons and military expenses but also on an effective dialogue with Beijing.
The Visit and Its Geopolitical Significance
From the very beginning, the visit of the opposition leader included several important messages. For example, Cheng chose Nanjing, the birthplace of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Kuomintang. The choice was not random: this was not an attempt to ignore the past, but a step towards creating a common ground between the two sides in the face of the shared history. Cheng continued to Shanghai, where she engaged in talks with Taiwanese businessmen operating in the city, and met Chen Jining, the Party Secretary of Shanghai, who will probably join the Politburo Standing Committee next year.
Afterward, she arrived in Beijing, where Xi personally received Cheng with two other members of the Politburo Standing Committee. Such a meeting shows the importance and significance of the visit for the leadership of China.
Speaking to his guests, Xi Jinping did not adopt an antagonistic or threatening tone. On the contrary, he stated his vision in four points: to harmonize minds, protect the shared homeland, promote welfare, and materialize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people. The president avoided mentioning “One Country, Two Systems” and “One China Principle,” which he prefers. Instead, he used the soft version – “1992 Consensus,” the definition........