Taipei: Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun announced on Monday that she has "gladly accepted" an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit China next week. Cheng stated that the visit aims to demonstrate that the two sides "are not destined for war." According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng emphasized the importance of pursuing peace for the stability of the Taiwan Strait, regional security, and the welfare of future generations. She highlighted that the upcoming trip would convey to both the people of Taiwan and the global community that the cross-strait situation does not necessarily have to remain on the brink of military conflict. Cheng expressed gratitude to Xi for the invitation, which was first reported by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency. The report cited Song Tao, director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), who mentioned Cheng's previous expressions of interest in visiting the mainland since assuming her role as KMT chairperson last November. Song announced that the Central Com mittee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Xi had extended the invitation to Cheng to lead a KMT delegation to Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Beijing from April 7-12. The visit aims to "promote KMT-CCP ties and the peaceful development of cross-strait relations." During the press conference, Cheng stressed that any initiatives to enhance cross-strait relations during her visit would be grounded in the "1992 consensus" and opposition to Taiwan independence. The "1992 consensus" is understood by the KMT as an agreement that recognizes "one China," while allowing each side to interpret the meaning of "China." In contrast, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never accepted the "1992 consensus," arguing that Beijing does not permit the interpretation of "China" as the Republic of China. The DPP contends that accepting the consensus would imply agreement with China's sovereignty claims over Taiwan. Cheng also remarked on the international portrayal of the Taiwan Strait as a potential flashpoint, expre ssing hope that her visit would signal a "mild and warm spring" in cross-strait relations. She did not disclose the names of other KMT delegation members, noting that the invitation was recently confirmed and many details remain under discussion.