KMT leader urges reconciliation to break constitutional deadlock

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Thursday called for political reconciliation in Taiwan, saying cooperation was needed to enable the Legislature to "function normally."

"I hope that in the future the ruling and opposition parties can work together, put aside past prejudices, and actively pursue reconciliation for the sake of the country and the people," Cheng said.

The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party made the remarks while attending a New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony at her party's central headquarters in Taipei.

In her address, Cheng said the goal was to "break the current constitutional deadlock and jointly promote important policies that benefit the country and the people."

The constitutional deadlock alluded to refers to continuing disagreement between the Democratic Progressive Party-led (DPP) Executive Yuan and opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan over the scope of legislative authority in budgetary and other matters.

Cheng, who became KMT leader in November, also said she hoped reconciliation could extend beyond Taiwan.

"I also hope for reconciliation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and even more so for reconciliation between the United States and China, and for the whole world to reconcile," she said.

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Responding to a New Year's address by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General-Secretary Xi Jinping (習近平), Cheng said the meaning of the "1992 consensus" that Xi spoke of in reference to Taiwan was "not open to doubt."

"The 1992 consensus means that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and this is beyond doubt," she said.

"[I] respect that the other side has its own expectations, policies and positions," she said, adding that Taiwan and its outlying islands "also have their own way of life and systems."

"I hope that through dialogue and exchanges, we can resolve differences and understand each other," she said.

Earlier in the day, Cheng also attended a New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony at the Office of the President, saying she was "very happy and very excited" to take part.

She said she briefly greeted Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and met legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) at the event, but did not meet President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in person.