Shanghai: Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman Chang Jung-kung on Friday paid an unannounced visit to Shanghai, where he met China's top Taiwan affairs official and said that "people who are authentic Taiwanese should also be openly and confidently Chinese."

According to Focus Taiwan, Chang, who was appointed to his current post on Nov. 1 by newly elected KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun after she assumed office on the same day, made his first visit to China in his new capacity. During the meeting with China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Director Song Tao, Chang emphasized that everyone in Taiwan "has a Chinese surname, speaks Chinese, celebrates Chinese festivals and worships Chinese deities," thereby asserting that authentic Taiwanese identity aligns with being Chinese.

Chang also referenced a message from KMT Chairperson Cheng to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also serves as Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary, noting that "in 1992, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait reached a consensus under which they each orally expressed their adherence to the 'one China principle.'" He described this as the "1992 consensus in its original form."

The "1992 consensus" refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then KMT government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Chinese government. The KMT interprets it as an acknowledgment by both sides that there is only "one China," with each side free to interpret what "China" means. In contrast, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never acknowledged the "1992 consensus," arguing that Beijing does not allow for an interpretation of "China" as the Republic of China, and such acceptance would imply agreement with China's claim over Taiwan.

Chang remarked that over the past three decades, Taiwan has experienced changes in ruling parties, but "history has shown that only when the '1992 consensus' is upheld and Taiwan independence is opposed can cross-strait relations develop peacefully." He affirmed that under its new leadership, the KMT will remain steadfast in its political foundation on cross-strait relations and continue to promote peace and exchanges across the Strait.

In his remarks, Song reiterated that as long as the "1992 consensus" is upheld, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait will prevail, and cross-strait relations can improve. He described the "1992 consensus" as the shared political foundation between the CCP and the KMT, urging both parties to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to "jointly advance the process of national unification."