Category: TAO Statements

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on the recent announcement by the United States of large-scale arms sales to China’s Taiwan region, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recent decision to impose countermeasures against 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 senior executives.

In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that China firmly opposes any form of military ties between the United States and China’s Taiwan region. Relevant U.S. companies and individuals have participated in arming Taiwan and have brazenly interfered in China’s internal affairs; China has therefore taken countermeasures against them in accordance with the law and relevant regulations.

The Taiwan question concerns the national sentiments of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people and lies at the very core of China’s core interests. It is the first and most insurmountable red line in China–U.S. relations. Any country or force that plays with fire on the Taiwan question will inevitably pay a price.

We once again urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, to stop the dangerous practice of arming Taiwan, and to handle the Taiwan question with the utmost caution. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities’ attempts to “seek independence by relying on the United States” and to “seek independence through force” are doomed to fail and will inevitably be met with severe consequences.

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on remarks made by Lai Ching-te during a recent meeting with a visiting Japanese politician. Lai claimed that Taiwan and Japan both face issues such as the “expansion of authoritarianism” and “risks posed by red supply chains,” and expressed hope for deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that in order to gain external support for its pursuit of “independence,” the Lai Ching-te authorities are rehashing the old rhetoric of “democracy versus authoritarianism.” They turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by Japan’s right-wing forces as they move further down a path of militarism, showing unprincipled pro-Japan appeasement; they also ignore the plight of Taiwan’s high-tech industries being forcibly hollowed out by Western countries, and are selling out Taiwan without any bottom line.

The Lai Ching-te authorities’ attempts to “seek independence by relying on external forces” will inevitably be completely crushed.

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on the mainland Coast Guard once again entering the so-called “restricted waters” near Kinmen to conduct law-enforcement patrols. Taiwan’s maritime patrol authority claimed that “the mainland Coast Guard deliberately formed up to harass vessels, disregarded navigational safety, and created significant navigation risks for passing ships.”

In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all parts of China; therefore, there is fundamentally no such thing as so-called “restricted waters.” Claims that the mainland “disregarded the navigational safety of passing vessels” are entirely groundless.

The mainland Coast Guard’s law-enforcement patrols in the relevant waters are carried out in accordance with the law and are precisely intended to maintain normal navigation and operational order in those waters, as well as to safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait.

For a long time, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have ignored the historical and objective facts of fishermen from both sides jointly operating in traditional fishing grounds. Their groundless detentions and even dangerous and rough treatment of mainland fishing vessels and fishermen are the real culprits creating navigation risks for passing ships and seriously threatening the lives and property of fishermen.

A reporter asked: The PLA Eastern Theater Command began the “Justice Mission–2025” exercise around Taiwan Island on December 29, involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and other units. Do you have any comment?

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, responded:

The PLA’s military actions are a stern warning to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and to external interference. They are a necessary and just measure to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Lai Ching-te administration engages in “Taiwan independence” activities, flatters external forces without principle, sells out Taiwan without restraint, and is willing to sacrifice Taiwan’s economic development and the livelihood of its people. It recklessly colludes with external forces to seek independence and provokes confrontation, plunging headlong down a dangerous path of militarization. Such actions have seriously damaged cross-Strait relations, gravely threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and severely harmed the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of the Taiwan people.
We will never tolerate or condone any “Taiwan independence” actions—they will be firmly struck down.

Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. Any external force that attempts to interfere in the Taiwan question or meddle in China’s internal affairs will inevitably dash itself to pieces against the steel Great Wall of the PLA. The historic trend toward national reunification cannot be stopped. No one should underestimate our firm determination, strong will, or powerful capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

People on both sides of the Strait are one family. The military actions target “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference—not the people of Taiwan. The purpose is to curb separatist collusion with external forces that destabilizes the Taiwan Strait, and to fundamentally safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the core interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots.

We hope that the people of Taiwan clearly recognize the extreme danger and harm of the Lai administration’s separatist course, and join us in resolutely opposing “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference, defending our shared national home, and creating a bright future of national reunification and national rejuvenation together.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Recently, the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit Annual Meeting was held in Nanjing and received widespread attention. Participants from both sides of the Strait held in-depth discussions on topics such as seizing the opportunities of the 15th Five-Year Plan and deepening the integration of cross-Strait industrial and supply chains, and they unanimously agreed that the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will open up broader space for cross-Strait economic cooperation. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en responded that this annual summit was a grand event for cross-Strait business exchange and cooperation, held at a pivotal moment as the mainland is about to enter the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is of great significance for Taiwan businesses and enterprises to seize the opportunities brought by the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, to accelerate integration into the new development paradigm, to participate in high-quality development, and to deepen the integration of cross-Strait industrial and supply chains.

Peng noted that Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, stated in his remarks at the summit that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has provided top-level design and strategic planning for development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. This will inject new momentum into promoting cross-Strait economic cooperation and shared development, and will open up new prospects for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the great cause of national reunification. He expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots and enterprises will make greater contributions to strengthening the economy of the Chinese nation and creating enduring prosperity for the Chinese people. This reflects our sincere goodwill in supporting Taiwan compatriots and enterprises in taking root and developing on the mainland, and points the way for their participation in high-quality development.

Peng added that during the summit, the question of how to seize the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan and pursue joint development became a major focus of discussion among entrepreneurs from both sides of the Strait. Participants from various sectors and perspectives examined the development opportunities embedded in the 15th Five-Year Plan and engaged in substantive discussions on new pathways for cross-Strait economic cooperation through coordinated industrial, supply, innovation, and value chains. Many noted that through these exchanges, they gained deeper understanding of industrial layout and development priorities, and they plan to match needs more precisely and optimize industrial models in future cooperation to create conditions for deeper multi-chain integration.

Peng concluded that the mainland will, as always, actively support cross-Strait industrial cooperation, continuously improve policies and systems that promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-Strait integration, and help Taiwan businesses and enterprises seize the development opportunities of the 15th Five-Year Plan so they can better thrive on the mainland.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Recently, Taiwan’s executive authorities passed draft amendments to the so-called “National Security Law” and other legislation, stating that anyone who advocates that foreign countries or mainland China wage war on Taiwan, or who expresses support for non-peaceful means to eliminate the so-called “sovereignty of the Republic of China,” will face heavy penalties, with even harsher punishment for active-duty military personnel and civil servants. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en replied that the Lai Ching-te administration stubbornly adheres to a separatist “Taiwan independence” stance and ignores the mainstream public desire in Taiwan for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation. It deliberately stirs up “anti-China” sentiment in an attempt to “seek independence by relying on external forces” and “seek independence by force,” continuously escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. This move is a concrete action under its so-called “17-point strategy,” aimed at heightening cross-Strait confrontation, undermining cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and intensifying the creation of a “green terror” and a “chilling effect,” all in service of its “Taiwan independence autocracy” and “green authoritarianism.”

He expressed the hope that the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the extreme danger and harmfulness of the Lai administration’s “Taiwan independence” line, and stand with the mainland in firmly opposing separatism and external interference and in firmly opposing efforts to drag the Taiwan Strait toward war.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The Economist recently published an article stating that although some of Taiwan’s recent economic indicators appear favorable, ordinary people do not feel any improvement in their livelihoods—something it referred to as the “Taiwan sickness.” In response, the head of Taiwan’s economic authorities claimed, “We are not sick; the ones who are sick are those who say we are,” prompting widespread criticism on the island for being “arrogant and self-deluded.” What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en replied that it is indeed a fact that uncertainty in Taiwan’s economic development is rising and that economic imbalances are worsening. It is also a fact that the wealth gap continues to widen and that ordinary people do not feel any improvement in their standard of living. For the selfish interests of its party, the DPP authorities ignore the risks of Taiwan’s high-tech industries being hollowed out by the United States and Western countries, disregard the deep difficulties traditional industries face amid high tariffs, and persist in currying favor with external forces without principle and selling out Taiwan without bottom line. They gloss over problems and deceive the public, but such self-deception and refusal to face reality cannot conceal their governance failures.

Ultimately, the root cause of the so-called “Taiwan sickness” is the DPP authorities’ malicious provocations in pursuit of “Taiwan independence”; the underlying pathology is their reckless disregard for people’s livelihoods; and the symptoms are their shameless eagerness to exhaust Taiwan’s resources in exchange for approval from external forces.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Recently, the DPP authorities sent representatives to attend the United States’ first “Silicon Peace Summit,” claiming that Taiwan can play a key role in the so-called “global democratic semiconductor supply chain.” What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en responded that China opposes the United States providing a stage for “Taiwan independence” elements. Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, in pursuit of “independence,” deliberately incite ideological confrontation and promote the false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism,” which wins no public support. The so-called “democratic supply chain” is, in essence, the Lai administration violating economic and market principles and currying favor with external forces without bottom line—selling off Taiwan’s advantageous industries, sacrificing Taiwan’s development prospects, and destroying the livelihoods of the Taiwan people—all in exchange for external support for their separatist agenda. Their words and actions will only intensify tensions in the Taiwan Strait, increase the burden on the Taiwan public, and ultimately destroy Taiwan’s economic lifeline and its future development prospects.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Lai Ching-te recently stated that he plans to allocate NT$1.25 trillion as a “special defense budget.” Immediately afterward, media on the island revealed that small companies in Tainan and Kaohsiung—such as renovation firms and shoe manufacturers—had unexpectedly won defense contracts worth hundreds of millions of NT dollars. Public opinion on the island is saying that “traditional industries in the south have suddenly become arms tycoons,” questioning whether certain forces are “escorting” these deals and whether the defense industry has become “a channel for profiting from war.” What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en replied that the DPP authorities, in order to “seek independence through military means,” are recklessly squandering the hard-earned money of the people of Taiwan to purchase foreign weapons, while also using the opportunity to line their own pockets through corruption and profiteering. He expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots will clearly see the malicious intentions and ugly face of the DPP authorities, guard their own wallets through concrete action, and stop being deceived.

At the December 24 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Today (December 24), public security authorities issued a reward notice seeking information on the criminal smuggling activities of Taiwan residents Jian Wensheng and Chen Shunjin, who allegedly operated the Togolese-flagged vessel Hongtai 58 and other ships to smuggle frozen goods into the mainland over a long period. In February this year, the DPP authorities falsely claimed that the Hongtai 58 cable-damage incident in the Taiwan Strait was “deliberate sabotage” by the mainland and a form of “gray-zone harassment.” What is your comment?

Spokesperson Peng Qing’en responded that investigations by public security authorities have determined that Taiwan residents Jian Wensheng and Chen Shunjin are habitual smugglers who operated the Hongtai 58 and other vessels to smuggle frozen products into the mainland over a long period. Public security authorities have now issued a reward notice for these two individuals and hope that compatriots on both sides of the Strait will actively provide clues regarding their illegal activities. Relevant authorities will strictly protect the informants’ information and lawful rights in accordance with the law.

Peng further stated that the Hongtai 58 incident that occurred in February was in fact the result of Jian and Chen engaging in smuggling activities while operating the vessel. The DPP authorities ignored the facts of the case and maliciously hyped claims of mainland “gray-zone harassment,” attempting to provoke confrontation and antagonism across the Strait. He warned that by shielding and condoning smuggling crimes and seizing the opportunity to carry out political manipulation that undermines cross-Strait relations, the DPP authorities will inevitably face united opposition from compatriots on both sides of the Strait—and ultimately reap the consequences of their own actions.