Taipei: Three candidates vying to lead Taiwan’s largest opposition party outlined their views on China policy Saturday in a televised debate, all seeking improved ties with Beijing but through different approaches.
According to Focus Taiwan, Chang Ya-chung, a former National Taiwan University political science professor, stated that if elected, he would advocate reinstating the Guidelines for National Unification. These guidelines, which were scrapped in 2006 by then-President Chen Shui-bian, set a process for the “unification of China” with Taiwan as a part of it. Chang believes that as long as the Kuomintang (KMT) “strictly adheres to its stance,” which means following the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official name), the two sides could ink a peace memorandum.
KMT lawmaker Lo Chih-chiang summarized his stance by saying, “I am Taiwanese and Chinese. My China is the Republic of China.” He expressed adherence to the “1992 consensus” espoused by former President Ma Yung-jeou, which he said was a “foundation for stability and prosperity” during Ma’s presidency from 2008 to 2016. Former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun also pledged to defend the ROC under the Constitution while opposing any calls for Taiwan independence. She also supported the “consensus,” seeing it as “the foundation of 100 years of cross-Taiwan Strait peace.”
Chang argued that the “status quo” could not be maintained forever and that the “consensus” would only stall progress on creating peace between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The 1992 consensus was a tacit understanding reached between the then KMT government and the Chinese government. It has been consistently interpreted by the KMT as a tacit acknowledgment by both sides that there is only “one China,” with each side free to interpret what “China” means.
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never acknowledged the “1992 consensus.” The DPP argues that Beijing allows no room for the interpretation of “China” as the Republic of China. Unlike the KMT, which insists “China” is the “Republic of China,” the DPP equates acceptance of the consensus as implying agreement with China’s claim over Taiwan.
The KMT’s stance on China policy will be critical to its prospects in the 2028 presidential race. The party has lost three consecutive presidential elections since 2016, partly due to waning public support for its traditional stance of establishing close ties with China. This sentiment has especially grown since 2019, following China’s crackdown on protests in Hong Kong. Beijing has increased intimidation campaigns against Taiwan, and backing the 1992 consensus may not be the way to overcome doubts about the KMT’s close ties with China.
According to a poll released in May 2025 by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), a significant majority of respondents rejected the “1992 consensus” based on Beijing’s “one-China principle,” and a large percentage objected to Beijing’s claim that Taiwan’s future lies in “national re-unification.”
In response to questions about the possibility of an alliance between the KMT and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) in the 2026 local elections and 2028 presidential race, Lo pointed to his “strong basis of mutual trust” with the TPP, formed by frequent interactions with TPP colleagues. Cheng stated that the two parties would need to agree on presidential election primary rules and have those rules promulgated by their respective central standing committees, emphasizing that mutual trust and respect should underpin any collaboration.
The KMT’s debate on Saturday, the first of three planned, was hosted by television operator CtiTV. Another candidate for the party chairperson position, former Changhua Magistrate Cho Po-yuan, protested outside the venue, criticizing CTiTV for allegedly sidelining him. Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, also a candidate for the chairperson position, was invited but did not attend due to a scheduling conflict.
