Taiwan Opposition Leader Faces Heated Challenge From Audience Member at New York Event

Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun speaks during a press conference ahead of her visit to the United States, in Taipei on June 1, 2026. Yu Chen Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

A forum in New York featuring Taiwan’s opposition chairwoman was briefly brought to a halt when an audience member identifying himself as a Chinese national challenged her over communist China’s intentions toward Taiwan.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and a possible contender in the island’s 2028 presidential race, is visiting the United States less than two months after meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a trip to China. In Taiwan, the KMT is known today for its pro-Beijing leaning, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is more aligned with Western interests.