TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Newly elected KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) spoke at an event on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of the first meeting between former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. 

The event was hosted by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation and the Straits Economic and Cultural Interchange Association. During her remarks, Cheng praised Ma and previous KMT leaders for their efforts to promote cross-strait diplomacy, touting the “1992 consensus” as the key to peaceful relations, reported UDN.

Cheng shared her memories of former Vice President Lien Chan’s (連戰) visit to China, which laid the groundwork for Ma’s first meeting with Xi in Singapore. She reaffirmed her intention to continue in the steps of Ma and seek further engagement with Chinese leaders.

Cheng recounted how international media outlets praised the first meeting between Xi and Ma, while contrasting that with international criticisms of the Lai administration. Cheng alleged that Lai has tried to appease the international community, but that other countries “change their tune” on Taiwan when strategic interests change, per UDN.

She reiterated that under her leadership, the KMT will seek to avoid conflict with China, and will refuse to let Taiwan become a victim of great power conflicts. She said her main priority leading the KMT is to fill the role of proactive peacemaker, to pursue “cross-strait reconciliation.”