Examining cross-strait dynamics: KMT leader Cheng Li-wun on peace, China ties and U.S. relations
Original framing: “Taiwan’s Cheng Li-wun on cross-strait peace, meeting Xi Jinping and managing ties with US” — South China Morning Post
The 1992 Consensus emerged from a specific historical context of Cold War geopolitics and the retreat of the Kuomintang from mainland China. Revisiting this history reveals how external actors, including the U.S., have shaped the current cross-strait impasse.
To move beyond the current impasse in cross-strait relations, a systemic approach must integrate indigenous and youth perspectives, historical awareness, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Institutional mechanisms like a peace commission can provide a structured space for negotiation, while economic interdependence can serve as a stabilizing force. Drawing from global peacebuilding models and local traditions, the path forward requires not just political will but a reimagining of identity, governance, and cooperation. By recognizing the interconnectedness of these dimensions, Taiwan and China can begin to build a more sustainable and inclusive regional order.