Taiwan Security Source: KMT China Visit Designed to Create 'Illusion of Unification Momentum' for Trump

A senior Taiwan national security official told Taipei Times on April 1, 2026 that KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's upcoming China visit is strategically designed to 'allow Beijing to create the illusion for Trump that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are leaning toward unification' and that China is 'moving toward peace' — thereby inducing the Trump administration to reduce arms sales commitments to Taiwan. The source noted Beijing is eager to have Cheng visit China now to provide a diplomatic breather given China's economic headwinds, and that the timing — immediately before the Trump-Xi May summit — is calculated. The source warned that the visit could disrupt Taiwan's internal political consensus on defense spending by reinforcing KMT narratives that dialogue offers better security than arms buildups. China state media (Xinhua) described the visit as CPC reaching out to 'patriotic' Chinese compatriots in Taiwan; Cheng said she would 'extend kindness and build mutual trust' across the strait. DPP legislators called on KMT members not to 'carry out Beijing's agenda' during the ongoing defense budget debate.