Taiwan's opposition KMT is talking up its momentum, framing chair Cheng Li-wen's "peace and prosperity" approach to China as a winning path back to government — good news for the party, but a signal of warmer Beijing ties that will worry its critics.

• KMT vice chair Xiao Xu-cen, speaking at a Taiwanese-American gathering in New York, said grassroots members strongly back Cheng's policy line and that party unity is solid.
• The core message is "peaceful prosperity" — keep the Taiwan Strait calm by working with Beijing on the shared idea of one Chinese nation, while boosting Taiwan's economy at home.
• Cheng led delegations to China and the US this year and met Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a sign of how far the KMT is leaning into engagement with Beijing.
• The party is also teaming up with Huang Kuo-chang's TPP to push domestic bills, including a children's future-savings account law, to broaden its appeal.
• Overseas Taiwanese supporters were thanked for long-standing backing, and Xiao asked them to help the KMT win upcoming local elections.

Outlook: The KMT will keep pitching closer China ties and unity ahead of local elections it hopes will confirm a path back to power.