Taiwan's KMT Chair Zheng Liwen Defends US Visit, Says Cold Reception Reports Overblown

Zheng Liwen, chairman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, dismissed media reports characterizing her recent US visit as a cold reception, stating she had realistic expectations and achieved meaningful results. In a radio interview on June 18, Zheng acknowledged that the United States maintains long-standing biases and misconceptions about the KMT, and that rebuilding trust requires time. She emphasized that she never expected an unusually warm welcome and did not approach the visit with naive expectations of overnight change.

Zheng specifically addressed reports from US political news outlet Politico, which had cited sources claiming that many of her scheduled meetings with White House and Congressional officials fell through due to tensions over the KMT's opposition to defense spending and an early leak of her planned itinerary. Zheng dismissed these accounts as "exaggerated" and "absurd," arguing that strict security protocols would make it impossible to conceal her identity, and that the logic of leaking details before meetings took place was contradictory. She refuted claims that she resorted to deceptive tactics, stating that all her meeting arrangements were transparent.

Despite the reported challenges, Zheng highlighted that her trip exceeded expectations, securing meetings with ten US legislators—nine in person over two days and one via telephone. She emphasized that effective communication, rather than universal support, was her primary objective, acknowledging that individual members of Congress have different priorities and positions on the political spectrum. Zheng noted that most American officials lack deep understanding of Taiwan and that the Taiwan issue is not among Washington's most pressing priorities.

Zheng also stressed the practical constraints facing the KMT, noting that limited party resources prevent large-scale lobbying efforts. She acknowledged that the visit received unprecedented international mainstream media attention, compared to previous KMT delegations that typically received only Chinese-language coverage. While characterizing the visit as a successful first step in rebuilding dialogue, Zheng recognized that establishing lasting mutual understanding remains a long-term undertaking that will require sustained effort and realistic expectations.