Strait-talking: the Taiwanese politician who wants to meet Xi Jinping

单集文稿 ...

• 00:00

  The Economist.

• 00:09

  This is Zheng Li-wun, the new leader of the Kuomintang, Taiwan's main opposition party.

• 00:28

  In the four months since taking charge, Zheng has sent shockwaves through Taiwan's political establishment.

• 00:40

  She's told Taiwanese people they should accept that they are in fact Chinese,

• 00:45

  she's spearheading efforts to block a rise in defense spending,

• 00:55

  Her election comes at a critical moment for Taiwan.

• 00:58

  As Beijing steps up military drills in the Taiwan Strait,

• 01:01

  and concerns grow that US support for Taiwan might be faltering.

• 01:06

  Zheng is no stranger to political risk-taking, but she's now making her biggest gamble yet.

• 01:11

  I certainly hope to begin exchanges and dialogue with the other side.

• 01:23

  I'm Sarah Wu, The Economist's China correspondent in Beijing.

• 01:27

  And I'm Jeremy Page, The Economist's Chief China correspondent, based in Taipei.

• 01:32

  And this week, we're bringing you an interview with Taiwan's outspoken opposition leader,

• 01:37

  and asking if Zheng Li-wun can bring the Kuomintang back to power

• 01:41

  and engineer a reconciliation with Beijing.

• 01:45

  This is Drum Tower. From The Economist.

• 01:56

  Listeners can't see this Jeremy, but you're not in your usual recording spot today.

• 02:00

  That's right, I am in a somewhat nondescript airport hotel in Frankfurt because I am en route to the Arctic.

• 02:09

  Obviously, no direct flights from Taipei to Tromsø where I'm heading, so I had to stop off in Frankfurt.

• 02:15

  I am curious what your suitcase looks like.

• 全部文稿