The upcoming visit to the Chinese mainland by Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, holds historical significance in the current global landscape, said Chi Chia-lin, a Taiwan-based historian, expressing hope that the visit could help shed light on resolving the Taiwan question.
Cheng will lead a delegation to visit the Chinese mainland from April 7 to 12 at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
"Within just a decade, the world has changed dramatically. Europe and the Middle East have both embroiled in conflicts, and the cross-Strait relations are extremely tense. Powerful nations, whether from the East or the West, are eying the situation in the Taiwan Strait covetously. Under such circumstances, Cheng’s upcoming visit to the mainland, which will be her first destination after becoming the KMT party chairperson, carries particularly significant historical importance," said Chi.
Chi also believes that Cheng's visit will greatly enlighten the Taiwan society on how to approach the resolution of the Taiwan question.
"Upon receiving the invitation from the mainland, Cheng immediately made a speech, expressing her full approval and hope that both sides could work together to explore a pathway toward a prosperous future for cross-Strait relations. These remarks represent her commitment to people both at home and abroad regarding KMT party's policy. Her visit, which could be seen as a historic succession, serves as a clear and distinct articulation of the KMT party's stance. I believe this will profoundly inspire the Taiwan society, proving that people on both sides of the Strait are one family. And as long as we sit down and engage in face-to-face communication and dialogue, no problem cannot be solved," said Chi.
KMT chairperson's visit to mainland holds historical significance: historian
The 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting concluded in Nanjing of east China's Jiangsu Province Monday, with the adoption of a joint statement and the first outcome document focused on artificial intelligence in the history of APEC human resources development cooperation.
As one of the ministerial gatherings under the 2026 APEC "China Year", the meeting brought together participating parties who agreed to proactively respond to new changes in the labor market, seize new opportunities in human resources development, and advance economic empowerment for all, amid an aging society and rapid technological progress.
"The meeting agreed that 'investing in people' is a strategic investment with high returns, and vocational skills training is an important means of such investment. More robust and effective actions must be taken to improve the lifelong vocational skills training system, strengthen coordination between talent cultivation and industry demand, and continuously broaden career development channels for the workforce," said China's Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yu Jiadong.
Representatives also agreed that building a more optimized and sustainable social security system and enhancing its effectiveness and adaptability play a fundamental role in promoting economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region and improving the well-being of people in all economies.
They called on all economies to build more resilient social security systems, leverage digital technologies to empower social security, and share innovative practices across the region.
As the host of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2026, China will hold the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen of south China's Guangdong Province from Nov 18 to 19. The APEC CEO Summit will be held from Nov 17 to 18.
This will be the third time China hosts the APEC, after one in Shanghai in 2001 and the other in Beijing in 2014.
APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting concludes with first AI-focused outcome document
