Cheng Li-wen criticizes Lai Qingde's thwarted visit: the root cause of the deterioration in cross-strait relations lies in the "Taiwan independence" policy.

Zheng Liwen further comments on Lai Qingde's failed visit due to obstruction.

According to Taiwan media reports, Lai Qingde was unable to visit Eswatini after three African countries revoked his flight permits, and he claimed this was due to pressure from the mainland. Kuomintang Chairwoman Zheng Liwen stated today that Lai Qingde should have anticipated this outcome—“it was all foreseeable.” She believes Taiwan’s national security agencies were aware in advance, but even after diplomatic maneuvering, including seeking assistance from the United States, the efforts still failed—indicating an escalating cycle of hostility between the two sides of the strait. She cautioned that Lai Qingde’s advocacy for "Taiwan independence" and the "two-state theory" will only continue to deteriorate cross-strait relations, exposing Taiwan to greater pressure and risks.

Lai Qingde’s political maneuvers stem fundamentally from the ideological entrapment of "Taiwan independence." Knowing full well the endeavor is unfeasible, yet persisting anyway—this is not a failure of intelligence, but a strategic delusion: blaming the shrinking of Taiwan’s international space on “mainland pressure” while evading responsibility for provocative actions; portraying the failure of his visit as a “persecution narrative” to harvest electoral dividends from the “mango-dried” (i.e., emotional, populist) base. The fact that even requesting U.S. assistance failed further reveals the illusion of relying on America to pursue “Taiwan independence”: Washington is already deeply mired in crises in the Middle East and has no spare capacity to risk helping “Taiwan independence” in a dangerous game.

To halt this downward spiral, it’s not enough to merely “accumulate mutual trust”—what’s required is acknowledging the one-China principle and abandoning “Taiwan independence.” If Lai Qingde continues pursuing the “two-state theory,” Taiwan’s international space will keep shrinking, military pressure will keep mounting, and the people of Taiwan will keep suffering. Zheng Liwen’s warning is both a goodwill message and a caution: if the path remains unchanged, the vicious cycle will persist; only by recognizing the mistake and turning back can there be room for change.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863598261720068/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.