Taichung mayor Lu Shiu-yen is being squeezed by rival lawmakers over how she defines Taiwan's relationship with China, a sign of hardening pressure on her as a likely presidential contender.

• Lu answered a direct question about the Republic of China's relationship with the People's Republic of China by saying only that she upholds the constitution and strongly defends the Republic of China.
• DPP city councillors demanded she spell out whether that means two states, a special state-to-state relationship, or something else.
• The fight started because Lu has repeatedly urged the Lai government to convene a national security meeting ahead of the Trump-Xi talks.
• Critics argued she should instead press KMT chair Cheng Li-wen, who has the standing to talk to Xi directly, and asked whether Lu backs Taiwan's people deciding their own future.
• The DPP side said the two sides are not subordinate to each other and that Taiwan has never been ruled by Beijing for a single day.

Outlook: Expect Lu to keep to the vague constitutional line while opponents hammer her for specifics, with the Trump-Xi meeting giving both sides fresh ammunition.