Speaking at a news conference in Taipei following her return, the chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) said meetings with U.S. lawmakers, government officials, policy experts and supporters had been positive and encouraging. She did not disclose specific outcomes or agreements resulting from the trip.

“Our meetings with the U.S. side were very positive,” Cheng said, adding that many discussions with members of the administration were confidential.

The visit came as the KMT faces scrutiny over its role in blocking a Taiwanese government proposal to allocate nearly $40 billion for military procurement, including U.S.-supplied weapons systems and domestically manufactured drones.

Cheng rejected reports suggesting she had been unable to secure meetings with senior U.S. security officials and said American interlocutors demonstrated strong understanding of the party’s positions, including its support for military cooperation with Washington and efforts to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

The KMT leader said her party remained committed to strengthening Taiwan’s security while pursuing policies aimed at reducing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Political analysts questioned the significance of the visit, noting the absence of publicly announced high-level meetings. Wen-Ti Sung, a political analyst at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, described Cheng’s reception in Washington as relatively restrained.

“Judging by public information, Cheng did not even get to meet working-level officials at, say, Assistant Secretary level — let alone further up the hierarchy,” Sung said. He added that the limited disclosure surrounding the meetings could indicate lingering reservations among U.S. officials.

Cheng has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Taiwanese politics since unexpectedly assuming leadership of the KMT last year. Her advocacy of closer engagement with China has attracted criticism from opponents who argue that such positions risk undermining Taiwan’s security interests.

The KMT has historically favored stronger ties with Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control.

The U.S. trip followed Cheng’s visit to Beijing two months ago, during which she met Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first meeting between a KMT leader and the Chinese leader in a decade. The visit also came weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Xi in the Chinese capital.

Although Washington shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the United States remains Taiwan’s principal security partner and largest source of defensive military equipment.

Recent comments by President Trump suggesting that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could potentially be used as leverage in broader negotiations with China have heightened concern among policymakers and security analysts about the future trajectory of U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Sung said Cheng’s Washington visit appeared designed to demonstrate her ability to engage both Beijing and Washington while presenting herself as a credible foreign policy figure. He added that success in balancing those relationships could strengthen speculation about a potential bid for Taiwan’s presidency in 2028.

Speaking to reporters at Taipei’s international airport, Lai said Taiwanese people “have the right to engage with the world,” after traveling aboard a plane provided by King Mswati III.

The visit marked a diplomatic outreach to Taiwan’s only remaining African ally.The trip had initially been scheduled for April 22 to 26 to attend the 40th anniversary of the king’s accession and his 58th birthday but was postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits, according to a senior aide, citing what was described as intense pressure from Beijing.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, opposes the self-governed island’s participation in international organizations and its official exchanges with other governments. Beijing has repeatedly sought to limit Taipei’s diplomatic space, particularly in regions where it maintains influence.

The United States criticized China’s actions after the delay of Lai’s initial travel, describing them as part of an “intimidation campaign.” Beijing rejected the comments, with its foreign ministry calling them “baseless accusations.”Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with a small number of countries, with Eswatini remaining its sole ally in Africa.

The visit comes as Taipei continues efforts to sustain and expand its international engagement in the face of increasing geopolitical pressure.

Cheng, chair of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), is expected to travel from April 7 to 12, visiting cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu, according to party officials.

Outreach contrasts with ruling party stanceThe visit highlights a divergence between the KMT and Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, led by President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has refused to engage and labels a “separatist.”

China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has increased political and military pressure on the island, while continuing to engage with opposition figures seen as more open to dialogue.

Cheng has said improving ties with Beijing does not equate to weakening relations with Washington, stressing the need for stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Timing ahead of Trump visitThe trip comes weeks before Trump is expected to travel to China for talks with Xi, placing Taiwan at the center of broader U.S.-China strategic discussions.

Separately, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is also planning visits to Taiwan and the region ahead of the summit, reflecting Washington’s continued engagement despite tensions with Beijing.

Speaking at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Taipei, Cheng said her party’s long-standing ties with the United States would remain intact even as it seeks closer engagement with mainland China. “There is no contradiction between the two, and there is no need to choose one over the other,” she said, rejecting criticism that outreach to Beijing would weaken relations with Washington.

Cheng, a former lawmaker who became KMT chair in October, has signalled a stronger push for engagement with Beijing compared to her predecessor Eric Chu, who did not visit China during his tenure starting in 2021. She has expressed interest in meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, though she did not provide details on any potential timeline.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has refused to engage with the government of President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a separatist. However, Beijing has maintained contacts with senior KMT figures, underscoring the party’s role as an alternative channel for cross-strait communication.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has criticised the KMT’s approach, accusing it of undermining Taiwan’s democracy and aligning too closely with Beijing. Cheng rejected those claims, saying her party supports arms purchases from the United States, though she emphasised that such spending must be carefully evaluated.

The KMT, alongside the smaller Taiwan People’s Party, holds a parliamentary majority, allowing it to influence defence budgets and legislative priorities, including measures related to security cooperation with Washington.

Taiwan’s political parties are preparing for mayoral and county chief elections in November, seen as a key indicator of public sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Analysts say cross-strait policy and defence spending are likely to remain central campaign issues.

China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, keeping geopolitical risks elevated in the region.