KMT Chair Comments on Military Drills Amid Indo-Pacific Security Concerns

Los angeles: Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun addressed concerns regarding military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, describing them as "very normal" due to the area's intricate security landscape. Her remarks come ahead of the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which involves over 30 nations and is set to commence on June 24 in Hawaii. According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng made her comments during a press conference in Los Angeles, emphasizing that the ongoing military drills are a regular occurrence given the region's security complexities. She acknowledged the frequent military activities by both the U.S. and China, suggesting that resolving these tensions requires direct engagement with the underlying issues. Cheng also noted that the KMT, as an opposition party, would refrain from formal positions on military policy until it regains power, but would aim to establish mechanisms to build mutual trust and reduce military activities in the Taiwan Strait if it leads t he government. Cheng's remarks were part of a 16-day visit to major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Boston, New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. The tour, titled "A Journey of U.S.-China-Taiwan Peace and Prosperity," aimed to promote Taiwan as a bridge between Washington and Beijing. During her trip, Cheng highlighted her April meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which marked the resumption of party-to-party exchanges between the KMT and China's Communist Party. Throughout her U.S. visit, Cheng advocated for a peace-oriented approach, noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump did not support Taiwan's move toward independence or the prospect of American forces being involved in conflicts over pro-independence stances. She stressed that maintaining cross-strait stability requires robust U.S. leadership in the region. Addressing the overseas Taiwanese community, Cheng proposed reimagining the "first island chain" concept from the Cold War era as a "chain of peace and prosperity." She argue d that U.S. leadership in regional technological, talent, and market exchanges could yield a "peace dividend." Cheng reinforced her anti-war stance with the remark that drones should be used for peaceful purposes, like delivering bubble tea, rather than military ones. On defense policy, Cheng reaffirmed the KMT's commitment to national defense, underscoring the necessity of an effective military for Taiwan's security. She assured that while seeking cross-strait dialogue, Taiwan's democracy, freedom, and defense resilience would not be compromised.