TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Candidates in the Kuomintang chair race said Saturday they are open to meeting Chinese leaders to promote cross-strait peace, provided talks are held under principles of equality and mutual respect, per CNA.
In the party’s final televised debate, former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said he is willing to meet Chinese officials “on the basis of mutual respect and goodwill,” adding that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is Taiwan’s “best form of defense.”
Hau said that during past visits to China as Taipei mayor, he told Chinese authorities they must respect the existence of the Republic of China. He criticized Beijing’s military exercises around Taiwan as “unfriendly acts.”
KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said that if elected chair, he would restart cross-strait dialogue and exchanges within the framework of the ROC Constitution and based on the so-called 1992 Consensus. Lo said he hopes for another meeting between a KMT chair and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Lo also pledged that within three months of his election, he would lead two youth delegations to China to “break the ice” and resume student exchanges. He said Taiwan must maintain friendly relations with both the US and China to ensure its survival and “avoid becoming the next Ukraine.”
Former KMT Legislator Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) called reconciliation between the KMT and Chinese Communist Party “a mandate” for the party. She said the KMT chair should promote dialogue, exchange, and cooperation at the party-to-party level.
Cheng noted that the KMT holds the largest number of legislative seats and governs more than half of Taiwan’s counties and cities. She urged the party to shape mainstream public opinion in Taiwan to promote peace.
National Taiwan University political science professor Chang Ya-chung (張亞中) said the KMT and CCP must engage in dialogue to find peaceful solutions to cross-strait issues. He added that any decisions related to post-unification political arrangements should be approved by party members and respected by future KMT presidential candidates.
During the debate’s Q&A session, candidates were also asked about Taiwan’s school curriculum and national identity. Hau said the Democratic Progressive Party has distorted history through education reforms, causing many young people to identify only with “Taiwan” rather than the ROC. He said revising textbooks is essential to restoring balance.
Cheng agreed, calling curriculum reform “a crucial mission the KMT cannot avoid,” saying generations of youth have been shaped by “a narrow and erroneous historical perspective.” Lo added that current textbooks undermine Chinese cultural values and align with those promoting Taiwan independence.
