TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) met with several US lawmakers on Wednesday after arriving in Washington, DC, the day before.
Cheng held talks with Senator Steve Daines and Representatives John Rose, Chuck Fleischmann, and Thomas Suozzi, CNA reported.
Cheng told reporters Wednesday that some lawmakers were concerned about Taiwan’s defense budget and arms procurement. She said she hoped to clarify the Kuomintang’s position, which is that “we are not opposed to arms purchases from the United States … we actually value cooperation with the US on arms procurement,” per CNA.
Reports did not mention whether the KMT chair discussed her party’s reluctance to fund Taiwan’s domestic drone industry during the meetings.
Cheng said the lawmakers she met also raised concerns about Taiwan’s energy and nuclear power issues. She said they were frustrated with the DPP government’s anti-nuclear stance and welcomed the KMT’s support for nuclear energy, per CNA.
Cheng said the KMT hopes to maintain due legislative process, fiscal discipline, and guard against potential corruption. She also said she values the opportunity to communicate with US lawmakers, according to CNA.
Victor Chin (秦日新), the KMT representative to the US, said Cheng also met with Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for about 45 minutes. The discussion focused mainly on cross-strait relations, US-Taiwan relations, and defense issues.
