Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, told Nikkei Asia in an exclusive interview that if the current ruling authorities in China's Taiwan region adhered to the 1992 Consensus, which laid the political foundation for cross-Strait relations based on the one-China principle, tensions would cease.

Cheng added that only this, and not the buildup of defense spending promised by Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te, will guarantee survival, in the interview published on Friday.

In the interview, Cheng said she was not sold on Lai's pledge to raise defense spending above 3 percent of gross domestic product next year and to 5 percent by 2030.

"This increase is too high and too fast," Cheng said. "Such a large rise cannot truly guarantee the security of the Taiwan Strait."

The interview also revealed Cheng's intention to ease tensions across the Taiwan Strait by resuming the cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum.

Cheng said that "dialogue can indeed replace confrontation" and avert "destruction."

"The two sides can absolutely resolve all differences peacefully," said Cheng, who added that the KMT's former chairman Ma Ying-jeou had demonstrated through active engagement that cross-Strait tensions can be mitigated during his eight-year term.

"This is a better solution than simply engaging in an arms race or increasing military spending," Cheng said.

Cheng took office as chairperson of the KMT party on November 1.