Hong Kong, April 14 -- Beijing is pressurising Taiwan in every way imaginable. Its latest achievement was hosting Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party, from 7-12 April 2026. Optics were good for China, as the country was seen pursuing diplomatic avenues to engage with Taiwan. However, Cheng's actions portend problems for both Taiwan and the USA.

In the first meeting between sitting KMT and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders since 2016, Chen framed the visit as a "peace mission" to stabilise cross-strait relations. Cheng even met with Chairman Xi Jinping on 10 April, but some viewed her visit as an unabashed political surrender. In a 13-second handshake at the Great Hall of the People, Xi stood imm...