Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the KMT, will participate in the 14th annual Straits Forum to encourage peaceful development between Taiwan and China. That came from KMT Vice Chairman Hsia Li-yen on Wednesday.
This year’s Straits Forum is scheduled to start on July 12 in China’s Xiamen City. The event is a platform for civil exchange between Taiwan and China. It is mainly organized by official bodies in China and civil society groups in Taiwan. The forum has been criticized for being politicized, and Taiwanese authorities have said participating may break national security laws.
Hsia says the KMT continues to support peaceful exchanges across the strait and prosperous development for both sides. Hsia adds that KMT Chairman Eric Chu’s recent visit to the United States has not affected the party’s stance towards China.
Many view Chu’s trip as an effort to bring the party closer to Washington after years of criticism that the KMT is pro-China. But Hsia says the KMT and the United States have always had a friendly relationship, regardless of the party’s engagement with China.
This year’s forum will be held partially online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.