Initially viewed with skepticism as Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman, Cheng Li-wen (pictured) has unexpectedly managed to resolve several challenging internal situations. (File photo by Chen Pin-yu)
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 10. Dubbed the "2026 Journey of Peace" by the party, this upcoming summit arrives at a critical juncture for Taiwan's oldest political organization. While the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has dismissed the meeting as a "CCP political stunt," a series of unexpected domestic developments suggest that Cheng's leadership—once viewed with skepticism—may be benefiting from a rare alignment of political fortune.
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KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured). While the KMT has largely avoided internal backlash, the DPP has launched fierce criticism. (AP)
A Providential Confidence
During a closed-door "Spark Project" training session for KMT candidates on March 16, Cheng reportedly told attendees that she possesses a "Mandate of Heaven" (天命) to ensure the success of the Cheng-Xi meeting. At the time, party insiders and aides were baffled by the claim. Given the volatile nature of U.S.-China-Taiwan relations and shifting global conflicts, many viewed her confidence as misplaced or even superstitious.
However, as the 2026 local election cycle begins, the obstacles that once threatened to derail Cheng's chairmanship are systematically dissolving. Within the KMT, what was once mocked as a "divine claim" is increasingly being viewed as a series of well-timed strategic breaks.
Cheng's internal remarks attributing the success of the upcoming summit to a "Mandate of Heaven" initially drew skepticism from political insiders. (Photo by Chen Pin-yu)
Neutralizing Internal Liabilities
The KMT's path to the 2026 elections was initially cluttered with high-risk candidates who threatened to alienate moderate voters. In several key battlegrounds, these potential "judicial bombs" have unexpectedly defused themselves through the primary process.
The Yilan Shift: In Yilan County, Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲) secured a surprise primary victory over County Council Speaker Chang Sheng-te (張勝德). Analysts suggest Chang's candidacy might have invited intense judicial scrutiny, a scenario the KMT has now avoided.
The Hsinchu Narrow Escape: In Hsinchu County, former Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying (徐欣瑩) won a razor-thin 1.6% victory over Deputy Magistrate Chen Chien-hsien (陳見賢). Chen's background had sparked fears of a "negative spillover" effect across northern Taiwan. His unexpected defeat—underperforming his internal polling by nearly 7%—has relieved the party of a major integrity liability.
（Related：Exclusive | Beijing Holds All the Cards. The KMT Just Doesn't Know It Yet｜Latest）
Chang Sheng-te (pictured) lost the primary to Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien, a result that analysts suggest helped the KMT avoid potential legal vulnerabilities. (Photo by Ko Cheng-hui)
Capitalizing on DPP Missteps
The KMT's rising optimism is further fueled by what they perceive as tactical errors by the DPP. Rumors that the DPP may nominate Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for the Taipei mayoral race have been met with quiet celebration at KMT headquarters.
Shen is seen as a polarizing figure with a high "animosity rating" due to his controversial rhetoric and family business ties. KMT strategists believe a Shen candidacy would "liberate" current Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安). Instead of being tied down to a competitive defense of the capital, Chiang—the KMT's most popular surrogate—would be free to campaign nationwide, boosting blue candidates across the island.
The KMT's concerns over potential negative spillover effects from Chen Chien-hsien's candidacy were alleviated following his unexpected primary defeat. (Photo provided by Chen Chien-hsien's team)
The Road to Beijing
As Cheng Li-wun prepares for her flight to Beijing, the domestic clouds that loomed over her leadership have largely parted. Even the Cheng-Xi meeting itself was facilitated by internal friction within the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, a twist of fate that cleared the path for the Chairwoman.
The upcoming summit remains a high-stakes gamble. To maintain her momentum, Cheng must return from Beijing having projected a posture of "equality and dignity" without appearing subservient. If she succeeds, the "Mandate of Heaven" may become more than just a bold claim—it could become the narrative that carries the KMT toward a 2026 resurgence.
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