Category: TAO Statements

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: On December 18, the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially begin island-wide customs closure operations. This is a landmark step in the mainland’s unwavering commitment to expanding high-level opening-up and promoting the development of an open world economy, and it has attracted great interest from Taiwan businesses and enterprises. What opportunities and benefits will this bring to them?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that beginning on December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially launch island-wide customs closure operations. This is a landmark measure demonstrating the mainland’s firm commitment to high-level opening-up and to fostering an open world economy.

After the customs closure, the Hainan Free Trade Port will fully implement the special regulatory framework of “free flow across the first line, effective control at the second line, and freedom within the island.” Tax incentives centered on “zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system” will fully release their benefits—reducing production costs, boosting development vitality, improving the quality of consumer supply, and supporting the creation of an international tourism and consumption center. At the same time, trade management will become more relaxed and convenient, regulatory practices more precise and efficient, and a series of innovative measures in areas such as trade liberalization, investment facilitation, and financial openness will bring more opportunities and advantages to Taiwan businesses and enterprises.

Taiwan-invested companies can leverage the institutional advantages of the Free Trade Port to expand their space for development in Hainan, achieve new growth, better integrate into the country’s new development paradigm, and share in the new opportunities presented by the Free Trade Port.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The DPP authorities plan to amend the “Permit Regulations for Civil Servants and Certain Designated Personnel of the Taiwan Area Entering the Mainland.” The amendment would restrict travel by county and city leaders and certain civil servants, reducing the degree of kinship required for approval to visit the mainland for family visits or funerals from within four degrees of kinship to within three, and requiring most senior civil servants and police officers to apply seven days in advance before traveling to the mainland. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that this is yet another malicious act by the DPP authorities to obstruct, restrict, and suppress cross-Strait exchanges and interactions. The DPP authorities go to great lengths to hinder Taiwan compatriots from coming to the mainland, fabricate charges to repress individuals and groups in Taiwan who actively participate in cross-Strait exchanges, and attempt to block compatriots on both sides of the Strait from drawing closer to one another. Such abuses of power and reckless behavior will inevitably be spurned by public opinion.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Some Taiwanese performing artists have been labeled “pro-China entertainers” because of statements they made about their identity. Taiwan’s cultural authorities have claimed that “pro-China” is a false issue and said they are pleased to see Taiwanese artists develop careers on the mainland, but that they must not “cooperate” in expressing pro-“forceful reunification” views. We have also observed that in recent years, not only have many Taiwanese artists come to the mainland to pursue development, but the mainland’s rich variety of cultural performances has attracted many young people from Taiwan to cross the Strait to attend concerts and follow their favorite performers. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the DPP authorities’ threats and intimidation of Taiwanese artists under the pretext of so-called “investigations” are completely out of step with public sentiment, and they cannot stop Taiwan compatriots from taking part in cross-Strait exchanges or from sharing in the development opportunities on the mainland. For many years, generations of Taiwanese performers have helped to inherit and promote Chinese culture, actively participated in cross-Strait exchange and cooperation, and demonstrated through concrete actions that “people on both sides of the Strait are one family.” In the past two years, the mainland’s performance market has grown explosively; in just the third quarter of this year, more than 1,000 concerts were held with over 12 million attendees, and Taiwanese artists held over 100 solo concerts on the mainland. The mainland offers a broad stage for Taiwanese performers, and their participation has enriched the mainland’s performance market. This “two-way exchange” in the cultural and artistic sphere has deepened cross-Strait cultural interaction.

In addition, traveling across cities on the mainland to hear a favorite song or follow a concert tour has become a new lifestyle trend among many Taiwan compatriots. We actively support cross-Strait cultural exchange and cooperation in film, television, music, and other fields. We welcome Taiwanese performing artists to come to the mainland to participate in all kinds of cultural performance activities, and we also welcome Taiwan compatriots to make full use of increasingly convenient policies to visit the mainland at any time to attend cultural events and experience the vibrant cultural and tourism life here.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Lai Ching-te recently proposed a USD 40 billion special budget to purchase military equipment from the United States. The New York Times recently revealed details from a classified U.S. Department of Defense report indicating that mainland China already possesses sufficient missile capabilities to destroy U.S. advanced weaponry before it could reach Taiwan—suggesting that the United States is no longer capable of “defending Taiwan.” What is your comment?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian of the Taiwan Affairs Office responded that the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair, and resolving it is a matter for the Chinese people alone, allowing no external interference. The Lai Ching-te administration, for the selfish interests of its party, continues to provoke “Taiwan independence,” repeatedly increases the defense budget, and pushes a “whole-of-society militarization,” tying the people of Taiwan to the separatist bandwagon. Its attempts to “rely on foreign forces to seek independence” and “use force to seek independence” threaten the safety and interests of the Taiwan people. “Taiwan independence” is a dead end; outsiders cannot be relied upon; reunification cannot be stopped. We have firm will, strong determination, and powerful capability to crush all separatist schemes for “Taiwan independence,” to resolutely oppose external interference, and to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

A reporter asked: On the 10th, Lai Ching-te stated in a media interview that he opposes “unilateral actions that use violence or coercion to change regional peace and stability,” and that Taiwan will firmly maintain the status quo and strengthen its defense capabilities. On the same day, he also posted online claiming that “democracy is Taiwan’s only direction,” and that Taiwan will join hands with like-minded democratic partners around the world to resist authoritarian encroachment. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office responded that Lai Ching-te is once again distorting facts and making irresponsible remarks; once again clamoring for “seeking independence through force” and “seeking independence by relying on external forces”; and once again hyping the false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism,” attempting to deceive the Taiwan public and mislead international opinion. Under the guise of “democracy” and “peace,” he is in fact aggressively pursuing militarization and colluding with external forces to continue provoking with attempts at “Taiwan independence,” thereby exposing once more his obstinate “Taiwan independence” nature and his true identity as a “destroyer of peace,” “creator of crises,” and “instigator of conflict.”

Since taking office, Lai Ching-te has stubbornly upheld a “Taiwan independence” stance, vigorously promoting separatist fallacies, and continuously stoking confrontation and hostility across the Strait. For the sake of partisan and personal interests, he has squandered public resources, pushed for “preparing for war to pursue independence” and “militarizing society,” dragging Taiwan into dangerous circumstances marked by rising tensions and potential conflict, and binding the people to the reckless path of “Taiwan independence” separatism. On the island, he has practiced “authoritarian rule,” repeatedly trampling on democracy and undermining freedoms, abusing judicial power to suppress political opponents, and continually creating a climate of “green terror” and a “chilling effect.” Filled with confrontational thinking, he severely violates public sentiment on the island and gravely harms democracy and the rule of law. He is both the instigator of tension and instability in the Taiwan Strait and the primary source of division within Taiwan society, and thus has no qualification to speak of “democracy” or “peace.”

Peace is the shared aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and reunification is the only future for Taiwan. The current struggle against “Taiwan independence” separatism is not a struggle between political systems, but a struggle between reunification and separation, between justice and wrongdoing. We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will never leave any room for any form of “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. We hope the people of Taiwan, based on the greater national interest and their own safety and well-being, will clearly recognize the extreme danger and harm of the “Taiwan independence” agenda pursued by Lai Ching-te’s administration, firmly oppose separatism and external interference, and work with us to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, promote peaceful cross-Strait relations, and create a bright future of national reunification and revitalization.

At the December 10 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, spokesperson Chen Binhua provided an update on the preparations for the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit Annual Meeting.

Chen Binhua stated that the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit Annual Meeting will be held from December 16 to 17 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Focusing on Transformation and Innovation, Deepening Multi-Chain Cooperation.” The discussions will center on seizing the opportunities presented by the formulation and implementation of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, helping Taiwan businesses integrate into the new development pattern, and deepening cross-Strait industrial- and supply-chain integration. Approximately 800 participants—including members of the summit council, general members, entrepreneurs from both sides of the Strait, as well as relevant experts and scholars—are expected to attend the event.

At the December 10 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu (RED) has over 3 million users in Taiwan, 70% of whom were born in the 1990s. It has become a commonly used and much-loved platform among people in Taiwan, especially the youth. On December 4, the DPP authorities announced a one-year “provisional ban” on Xiaohongshu, citing reasons such as “multiple cybersecurity indicators failing to meet standards” and “frequent scams.” What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?

Spokesperson Chen Binhua replied that this reminds him of a famous line from Zuo Zhuan, Duke Huan Year 10: “A man without guilt becomes guilty because he carries a valuable jade.” It is well known that Xiaohongshu is a social platform positioned as a “lifestyle-interest community,” and its rich, diverse, lifestyle-oriented content; youth-friendly community atmosphere; and convenient interactive features have made it very popular among the public in Taiwan, especially young people. Through Xiaohongshu, they learn about the mainland’s real situation and interact warmly and amicably with mainland users. This has caused the “information cocoon” deliberately created by the DPP authorities—and their attempts to smear and demonize the mainland—to collapse and fail. This is why the DPP authorities are feeling threatened, embarrassed, and enraged. The so-called “cybersecurity concerns” they cited only reveal their own inner fear and insecurity.

Chen Binhua continued that as for the so-called “anti-fraud” justification, reports from Taiwan’s own media show that Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases on the island last year, and more than 30,000 cases already this year—far exceeding the number of cases the DPP authorities accuse Xiaohongshu of being involved in. Therefore, under the banner of “anti-fraud,” what the DPP authorities are actually doing is “anti-democracy.” Their overbearing actions trample on democracy and undermine freedom, crudely stripping the people of Taiwan—especially the youth—of their right to access information and their freedom to use social media platforms, and severely harming the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who depend on Xiaohongshu for income.

Chen Binhua added that from blocking mainland e-commerce platforms and video platforms to now banning mainland social platforms, the DPP has indeed become the “people-blocking party” that stands against ordinary citizens. Anything widely used by the people of Taiwan must be banned; anything loved by Taiwan’s youth must be blocked. “He who commits many injustices will bring about his own downfall.” The DPP authorities, acting recklessly and willfully, will ultimately suffer the consequences. Their retrograde actions cannot stop the people of Taiwan—especially the youth—from wanting to understand the mainland and deepen exchanges and mutual understanding with their compatriots across the Strait.

At the December 10 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked about the recent release by Fujian Province of the fifth batch of policy measures implementing the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Path for Integrated Cross-Strait Development and Building a Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone. The reporter requested an overview of the relevant situation.

Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office replied that on December 2, Fujian Province issued the fifth batch of policy measures implementing the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Path for Integrated Cross-Strait Development and Building a Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone (hereinafter referred to as “the Opinions”). These measures cover 12 specific initiatives across three areas: supporting the development of Taiwan-funded enterprises and Taiwan businesspeople; optimizing tax-related services for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan businesses; and promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in commerce, trade, culture, and tourism. They include increasing land and sea use guarantees, launching intelligent tax-service platforms, and supporting Taiwan compatriots in opening Shaxian snack shops in Taiwan, among others. This batch of measures actively responds to the needs of Taiwan compatriots and businesses; it is concrete, pragmatic, and effective, and will further accelerate the establishment of a new, province-wide integrated development framework in Fujian.

Chen Binhua noted that since the Opinions were released in September 2023, Fujian Province has issued four previous batches containing 62 measures. Together with the 12 measures released this time, a total of 74 measures have now been introduced. These policies have produced significant results, with Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan businesses continuing to experience a growing sense of benefit, and they have received broad recognition and positive responses from various sectors on both sides of the Strait.

At the December 10 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Lai Ching-te recently stated in an interview with The New York Times that Taiwan’s economic growth rate this year reached 7.37%. He also claimed that he would be “happy to help China and work together to solve the various economic problems China is facing,” and expressed hope that the mainland “should not think about how to expand its territory, but rather think about how to better take care of the Chinese people.” What is the spokesperson’s response?

Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office replied that Lai Ching-te is talking nonsense and overestimating himself, attempting to mislead public opinion and deceive the public by playing games with numbers.

Chen Binhua stated that since the beginning of this year, the mainland’s major economic indicators have performed well. New productive forces have been actively developing, reform and opening up have continued to deepen, and the economy has demonstrated strong vitality and resilience. In the first three quarters, the mainland’s GDP exceeded 101.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.2% year-on-year, with growth of about 4 trillion yuan—an amount equivalent to more than 80% of Taiwan’s total annual economic output. It is expected that Taiwan’s GDP this year will be lower than that of many provinces on the mainland. “I truly don’t know where Lai Ching-te gets his confidence from,” Chen said.

Chen Binhua continued that in order to “rely on external forces to seek independence,” Lai Ching-te has been forcing cross-Strait “decoupling and supply-chain severing” in violation of economic principles, ignoring the hollowing out of Taiwan’s key industries by external forces and turning a blind eye to the serious difficulties facing Taiwan’s traditional industries. His efforts to curry favor with outside forces will only further harm Taiwan and sell out its interests.

Chen Binhua emphasized that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory. Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete national reunification is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people. The economies on both sides of the Strait are part of the same national economy. We have always upheld the concept of “both sides of the Strait are one family,” committed to strengthening cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, deepening integrated development, and sharing with Taiwan compatriots and enterprises the opportunities brought by China’s modernization.

At the December 10 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce stated that during U.S.–Taiwan tariff negotiations, the U.S. is seeking more than USD 300 billion in investment from Taiwan and assistance in training American semiconductor workers, with the ultimate goal of relocating Taiwan’s entire semiconductor supply chain to the United States. In response, netizens in Taiwan criticized the DPP authorities as “hopeless,” and public opinion pointed out that together with the USD 40 billion in military purchases promised by Lai Ching-te, the savings accumulated over three generations in Taiwan are about to be exhausted. What is the spokesperson’s response?

Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office replied that the Lai Ching-te administration, in order to “rely on external forces to seek independence,” has shown bottomless eagerness to curry favor with the United States. In the tariff negotiations, they “knelt before even negotiating” and “turned the other cheek after being slapped,” and have repeatedly deceived the public. In terms of industry, they have allowed the United States to take whatever it wants, voluntarily giving up TSMC and letting it drain the value of Taiwan’s advantageous industries. Previously, TSMC was forced to announce an additional USD 100 billion investment in the United States, which already caused panic within Taiwan’s business community and widespread public resentment. If the USD 300 billion investment is carried out, it will inevitably have a huge impact on Taiwan’s economy, further weakening Taiwan’s economic momentum and autonomy. We are deeply concerned about this. We hope the people of Taiwan and all those with insight from various sectors will unite and take action to firmly oppose the Lai Ching-te administration’s pro-U.S. behavior and actively safeguard their own interests.