AIT Meets With Kuomintang Head To Discuss Cooperation, Cross-Strait Relations

TaiwanPlus News

The leader of Taiwan’s main opposition party met with officials from the American Institute in Taiwan, discussing matters from US-Taiwan relations to cross-strait tensions. In a statement, the US representative office said both sides highlighted that cross-strait differences should be resolved by peaceful means and free from coercion.

Transcript

00:00The head of the American Institute in Taiwan, the U.S.'s de facto embassy in Taipei,

00:05has met with the chair of Taiwan's main opposition, Kuomintang.

00:08It comes amid reports that Washington is concerned about Taiwan's defense bending.

00:12The meeting on Wednesday was the first between AIT Director Raymond Green and KMT Chair Zheng Liwen,

00:18with peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at the top of their agenda.

00:23In a statement, the AIT told Taiwan Plus that both sides highlighted that cross-strait differences

00:27should be resolved by peaceful means and free from coercion.

00:31The KMT says the meeting went well, and that both look forward to possible future exchanges.

00:38When we asked whether the two discussed Zheng's earlier comments

00:46are posing an increase in Taiwan's defense budget, neither AIT nor the KMT confirmed this.

00:52But experts say the meeting likely served as an opportunity for the U.S. to gauge how the KMT,

00:57which together with a smaller party, holds a majority in the legislature,

01:01plans to approach key issues that concern Washington.

01:17In response to the meeting, Taiwan's defense minister reiterated the need for increased defense spending.

01:22President Lai Qingde aims to raise Taiwan's defense spending to more than 3% of GDP next year,

01:40and to 5% by 2030.

01:42But it's unclear whether those goals can be met.

01:44Military budget aside, the warm words about the recent meeting could suggest that the door is open for dialogue.

01:49Lufe Lee and Allen Lu in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.

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