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Ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting and just days after the opposition controlled legislature passed a watered down special defense budget, CNN spoke to KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun, who has long insisted that pursuing dialogue with Beijing is the solution for escalating cross-strait tensions. Skepticism for Cheng’s direction, by the US and some Taiwanese officials were all touched on. Let’s hear more.

CNN’s interview with KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun cut straight to the point: US skepticism for a reduced special defense package passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, NT$47 million smaller than the Cabinet’s NT$1.25 trillion proposal.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
What’s your response to calls from US lawmakers that Taiwan needs to spend this money on its defense to send the message to the global community that Taiwan is serious about its defense?

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
Actually, we are very serious. Most of it is too vague and lacks details, so we can’t give a blank check authorization.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
How can you guarantee it won’t happen if Taiwan doesn’t have what your military leaders say are enough weapons to deter military action by China?

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
When the KMT is in power, Taiwan’s defense capabilities, its deterrence will still exist.

Cheng was then asked to respond to criticisms of her meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
You obviously have your critics that accused you of being a pawn while you were in Beijing, saying that you and Xi Jinping had almost the same language.

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
[It may seem that I have] a common language with Xi Jinping, but it is precisely because there are so many differences between the two sides of the strait, it is critical that we find a common foundation for peaceful dialogue.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
You said publicly, you’re worried about Taiwan being treated like a pawn. Are you talking about the United States treating Taiwan like a pawn?

Cheng Li-wun
KMT Chair
I believe it is the DPP government’s wrong policies that have reduced Taiwan to a pawn.

Will Ripley
CNN correspondent
She also says that Taiwanese people should identify as both as Taiwanese and Chinese, Jim, which of course a very hot button issue here. A growing number of people here in Taiwan identify only as Taiwanese. They don’t identify as members of a greater Chinese nation, but that’s something that she’s really pushing for.

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