Pragmatic Dialogue and the search for common ground: reviewing KMT Chair Cheng Liwen’s 2026 visit to China

From April 7 to 12, 2026, Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Cheng Liwen led a delegation on a six-day visit to the Chinese mainland. The itinerary covered Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Beijing, and was described by the KMT as the “2026 Peace Visit.” As a renewed engagement between leaders of the KMT and the Communist Party of China after several years, the trip attracted widespread attention. Against the backdrop of a complex cross-Strait situation, the interactions during the visit objectively provided an opportunity to reopen dialogue and communication between the two sides.

According to Euronews, one of the key political agendas of the visit was the reaffirmation of the foundation for dialogue between the two parties. On April 10, the leaders of both sides met at the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In their public remarks, both sides reiterated their commitment to the “1992 Consensus” and opposition to “Taiwan independence.” Amid current challenges in cross-Strait relations, such statements carry a certain stabilizing significance. Su Chi, who originally coined the term “1992 Consensus,” was also included in the delegation, suggesting an intention to continue the historical trajectory of cross-Strait engagement and to emphasize the existing political and legal framework for interaction.

Beyond political dialogue, cultural and historical connections were another major focus of the visit. On April 8, the delegation paid tribute at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing. Nanjing holds a unique place in modern Chinese history and, objectively, represents shared historical memory across the Strait. During subsequent high-level meetings, both sides also referenced themes such as the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization, underscoring their common historical and cultural roots.

Economic and industrial development also featured prominently in the itinerary. On the final day, the delegation visited Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing to observe developments in the mainland’s new energy vehicle sector. This arrangement reflects potential areas of cooperation in technology and industrial supply chains. At present, Taiwan holds advantages in semiconductors and electronic components, while the mainland possesses a large market and strong capabilities in vehicle manufacturing. Objectively speaking, continued exchanges and complementary cooperation in trade and high-tech sectors could generate mutual economic benefits.

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Looking at the broader trajectory of cross-Strait relations, differences and challenges remain, but maintaining peace and communication continues to be a shared expectation among the public on both sides. As Cheng Liwen noted in Nanjing, the visit carries indicative significance. From paying tribute in Nanjing, to high-level meetings, to corporate visits, the itinerary balanced historical connection with present-day development. After years without such exchanges, this visit has, in practical terms, reopened a channel for dialogue. It also suggests that, on the basis of a certain level of political consensus, there remains room for both sides to manage differences and resolve disputes independently.

Looking ahead, if both sides can sustain the current momentum of communication and further expand practical exchanges and cooperation across various fields, it may help ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait and create more possibilities for long-term stability in cross-Strait relations.

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