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

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.

South China Morning Post