Can Beijing count on Taiwan’s KMT to advance reunification plans?

SCMP | Dec. 23, 2025, 5 p.m. | Original

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

All eyes are on how Beijing’s “Chinese dream” of eventual Taiwan reunification will unfold at a time when the leader of the United States – Taipei’s top international backer – appears less likely to intervene in case of a cross-strait conflict. In the second of a three-part series , Amber Wang looks at the challenges facing the new Kuomintang leader. Read the first part here .
There have been seven chairs of the Kuomintang, Taiwan’s main opposition party, since President Xi Jinping took the top job in Beijing in 2012. But few received a congratulatory message as laden with such high expectations as Cheng Li-wun did when she was elected the party’s new chair in October.

In a rare gesture that went beyond the usual general wording about promoting cross-strait relations, Xi called for a joint effort to promote reunification.

Cheng is expected to visit the Chinese mainland soon, where she is likely to meet Xi following a precedent set by her two predecessors.

Analysts believe Beijing sees a new opportunity in the victory of Cheng, who has voiced a strong Chinese identity and vowed to promote cross-strait reconciliation, in sharp contrast to the stance of Taiwan’s ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

In recent months, Beijing has launched a series of initiatives aimed at swaying Taiwanese public opinion and its latest five-year plan reiterated its view that reunification was a national goal.

Yet challenges loom for Cheng, the KMT’s second female leader and an unconventional figure expected to shake up the 100-year-old party. She is already faced with internal resistance, pressure from coming local elections, and the delicate task of navigating ties with both Beijing and Washington.

SCMP Series

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