Taipei: Six Kuomintang (KMT) chairmanship candidates sparred Thursday over cross-strait policy in a debate organized by TVBS and the United Daily News, offering positions from cautious dialogue under the “1992 consensus” to full unification.
According to Focus Taiwan, the debate was the first televised event featuring all six candidates, where the management of relations with China became the focal point during the media question segment. Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin proposed that the “1992 consensus,” which the KMT defines as “one China, with each side having its own interpretation of what ‘China’ means,” should form the basis for dialogue and exchange across the Taiwan Strait.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has rejected this formula. They argue that Beijing has never accepted different interpretations of “China,” leading to a stalemate in cross-strait relations since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. Hau criticized the DPP’s rejection of the “1992 consensus” and stressed that Beijing “must respect the existence of the Republic of China (ROC),” referring to Taiwan’s official name.
KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, citing more cordial cross-strait relations under former President Ma Ying-jeou, claimed that the KMT’s adherence to the “1992 consensus” proves its effectiveness. Lo emphasized the need for friendly and constructive engagement in cross-strait relations, warning against a tragic situation similar to Ukraine.
Former KMT Legislator Cheng Li-wun committed to pushing for dialogue with China under the “1992 consensus” to avert war and prevent Taiwan’s youth from being sent into conflict. She argued that under the ROC Constitution, which holds that both sides of the strait belong to one China, Taiwan and the mainland should collaborate to achieve progress in human civilization.
Chang Ya-chung, maintaining his usual stance, dismissed the “1992 consensus,” the concept of “China as the ROC,” and the call to “maintain the cross-strait status quo” as “empty slogans.” He warned that the DPP’s pursuit of independence could lead to military unification and criticized the KMT’s approach, asserting that unification should guide the party’s policy.
Two other candidates, Cho Po-yuan and Tsai Chih-hung, presented their plans to address the cross-strait deadlock under their respective “one China” frameworks.
The KMT has scheduled a party-wide vote to elect a new chairperson on Oct. 18, with the winner taking office on Nov. 1 for a four-year term, succeeding Eric Chu.
