KMT's Lien Chan Makes Historic Visit to Beijing, Meets Hu Jintao

In a journey heavy with historical irony, KMT Chairman Lien Chan arrived in Beijing on April 26, 2005, becoming the first Kuomintang leader to set foot in mainland China since Chiang Kai-shek’s retreat in 1949, culminating in a handshake with Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao that divided democratic Taiwan.

Historic Journey

The Itinerary

April 26: Arrives in Nanjing
April 27: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
April 28: Beijing arrival
April 29: Hu Jintao meeting
May 3: Returns to Taiwan

Symbolic Moments

KMT founder’s tomb visit
Peking University speech
Great Hall meeting
“Journey of peace”

The Hu-Lien Meeting

April 29 Summit

First KMT-CCP leaders meeting since 1945
Great Hall of the People
Global media attention
Historic handshake
Five-point communiqué

Joint Communiqué

Promote cross-strait exchanges
End hostile status
Pursue economic cooperation
Discuss Taiwan’s international space
Establish party-to-party platform

Democratic Controversy

Constitutional Questions

Opposition leader conducting diplomacy?
Undermining elected government?
Democratic norms violated?
Beijing legitimized?

Political Divisions

DPP: “Betraying Taiwan’s democracy” KMT: “Opening doors for peace” Public: Split roughly 50-50

Beijing’s United Front Strategy

Objectives

Bypass democratic government
Split Taiwan politically
Legitimize CCP internationally
Pressure Chen administration
Long-term absorption

Tactical Success

Global headlines achieved
Chen government sidelined
KMT-CCP channel opened
Democratic unity broken
Strategic patience rewarded

Lien’s Calculations

Political Motivations

Lost two presidential elections
Legacy rehabilitation
Party relevance
Business interests
Historical reconciliation

Risks Accepted

Democratic criticism
“Selling out” charges
American concerns
Party division
Historical judgment

Public Reception in China

Orchestrated Welcome

State media saturation
“Taiwan compatriot” narrative
Peaceful reunification emphasized
No dissent allowed
Propaganda victory

Controlled Narrative

Democracy never mentioned
Chen government ignored
One-China assumption
Unity inevitable theme

Taiwan’s Democratic Response

Government Position

President Chen: “Any dialogue must respect Taiwan’s democracy and the will of 23 million people.”

Street Protests

Supporters and opponents clash
Airport demonstrations
Media debates intense
Society polarized
Democracy messy

International Reactions

United States

“Watching closely”
Democracy concerns expressed
One-China policy maintained
Stability hoped for
Confusion evident

Regional Views

Historic significance noted
Precedent concerns
Business interests supportive
Democratic values secondary

Media Coverage Contrast

Taiwan’s Free Press

24/7 coverage
Diverse opinions
Critical analysis
Historical context
Democratic debate

China’s State Media

Triumphant narrative
Script unity
Opposition silenced
History rewritten
Authoritarian control

The Panda Promise

Beijing’s Offer

Two giant pandas promised
“Unity gifts” symbolism
Soft power deployed
Public opinion targeted
Democracy sweetened?

Taiwan’s Dilemma

Accept “domestic” transfer?
Conservation vs. politics
Public wants pandas
Sovereignty implications
Symbols matter

Long-term Impact

KMT-CCP Platform

Regular exchanges established
Economic forum created
Political dialogue channel
Democratic government bypassed
Beijing’s influence grown

Taiwan Politics

Blue-Green divide deepened
China factor intensified
Democracy complicated
Unity impossible
Polarization permanent

Historical Irony

From Enemies to Partners

1949: Life-death struggle
2005: Peaceful meeting
Authoritarianism consistent
Democracy changed everything
Strange bedfellows

Chiang’s Legacy

Anti-communist crusader
Authoritarian ruler
Would he approve?
History’s judgment
Irony complete

Strategic Consequences

For Beijing

United Front success
Taiwan divided
International legitimacy
Patience rewarded
Model established

For Taiwan

Unity shattered
Democracy complicated
China options expanded
Sovereignty diluted?
Future contested

Lessons Learned

About Democracy

Opposition freedom double-edged
Foreign policy coherence difficult
Unity challenging
Transparency messy
Values vs. interests

About Authoritarianism

Patient strategy works
Divide and influence
Economic leverage powerful
Democratic divisions exploitable
Time often ally

Lien Chan’s Beijing visit demonstrated how authoritarian regimes can exploit democratic openness, using opposition parties’ freedom to undermine elected governments, while highlighting the challenges democracies face in maintaining unified foreign policy when facing patient, strategic authoritarian opponents.