Category: TAO Statements

At the Feb. 11 Taiwan Affairs Office press briefing, a reporter asked: On Feb. 10, the results of the 2025 “Sannong” (Agriculture, Rural Areas, and Farmers) Person-of-the-Year selection and promotion campaign were officially announced. Taiwan compatriot Guo Yangfu was selected as a 2025 “Sannong” Person of the Year. What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian replied: It is understood that the 2025 “Sannong” Person-of-the-Year campaign took “Looking Ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan Period, Striving on a New Journey” as its theme, and selected 12 annual “Sannong” figures and one honored team. Taiwan compatriot Guo Yangfu, who has started a business and developed his career in Ezhou, Hubei, was recommended and selected, becoming the third Taiwan compatriot to receive this honor in the 20 years since the campaign began. This is another concrete measure to implement equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan farmers and to deepen cross-strait integrated development. We will further implement and refine policy measures that benefit Taiwan farmers and Taiwan-funded businesses, and create better conditions for Taiwan farmers and enterprises to come to the mainland to develop. We hope more Taiwan compatriots will actively participate in the mainland’s high-quality development and add new stories to the shared effort of compatriots on both sides of the Strait to realize the “Chinese Dream.”

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: On February 4, President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with U.S. President Trump and stressed that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China–U.S. relations. Taiwan is China’s territory; China must safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it will never allow Taiwan to be split off. The U.S. side must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence. How does the Taiwan Affairs Office understand this?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: President Xi Jinping stressed that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China–U.S. relations. Taiwan is China’s territory; China must safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it will never allow Taiwan to be split off. The U.S. side must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence. President Trump said that he attaches importance to China’s concerns on the Taiwan question, is willing to maintain communication with China, and will keep China–U.S. relations sound and stable during his term in office. President Xi Jinping’s important remarks have clarified China’s solemn position on the Taiwan question and provide the fundamental guiding principles for us to do Taiwan-related work well.

Taiwan is China’s territory; the Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line in China–U.S. relations that must not be crossed. The DPP authorities have repeatedly attempted to “seek independence by relying on external forces” and “seek independence by military means,” leading to tension and turbulence in the Taiwan Strait situation. The U.S. side should abide by the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, and handle the Taiwan question with the utmost prudence.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: The KMT–CCP think tank forum themed “Prospects for Cross-Strait Exchanges and Cooperation” was held in Beijing on February 3 and has attracted high attention in public opinion on both sides of the Strait. The forum announced that the KMT and the CCP have, after ten years, resumed institutionalized exchanges, and reached 15 common understandings on strengthening exchanges and cooperation in areas including cross-strait tourism, industry, the environment, and sustainable development. How does the spokesperson evaluate the significance of holding the forum and the results achieved?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message last October to Ms. Zheng Li-wen on her election as chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang, pointing the way for the future development of KMT–CCP relations and cross-strait relations. Chairperson Zheng Li-wen replied by telegram at the earliest opportunity. Holding the KMT–CCP think tank forum is a concrete measure to implement the spirit of the congratulatory telegram and reply between the two party leaders.

The forum focused on industrial development and people’s livelihoods and well-being, and put forward a series of specific recommendations, reflecting the sense of responsibility borne by the two parties to seek peace for the Taiwan Strait, well-being for compatriots, and rejuvenation for the nation. The resumption of institutionalized exchanges between the two parties after a ten-year interval is of major significance, with notable results. Going forward, we will continue, together with the Chinese Kuomintang, on the shared political foundation of upholding the “1992 Consensus” and opposing “Taiwan independence,” to strengthen exchanges and contacts, maintain positive interaction, jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and work hand in hand to create the great rejuvenation of the nation.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: The “common understandings” from the “KMT–CCP think tank forum: Prospects for Cross-Strait Exchanges and Cooperation” propose deepening cross-strait tourism exchange and cooperation, achieving as soon as possible group tours by Fujian and Shanghai residents to the island, and gradually expanding tourism by mainland residents to Kinmen and Matsu. Does the mainland side have a timetable for this, and what will it do next to promote implementation?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: In order to promote the normalization of cross-strait people-to-people exchanges and the regularization of exchanges and cooperation in various fields; to respond to the eager expectations of Taiwan’s public and the tourism industry; and to enhance the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, the mainland side successively resumed tourism by Fujian residents to Matsu and Kinmen in April and August 2024, and this was welcomed by Taiwan’s tourism industry and the public. Over more than a year, the cumulative number of Fujian residents traveling to Kinmen and Matsu has exceeded 200,000 trips, bringing tangible benefits to the tourism industry in Kinmen and Matsu and also enhancing understanding and feelings between Fujian and Taiwan compatriots. Yesterday, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that it will, in the near term, resume tourism by Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu. This is a concrete measure to promote the normalization of cross-strait tourism exchanges and cooperation and to expand cross-strait exchanges, and it has received high recognition from Taiwan’s tourism industry and all sectors of society.

We will work together with the relevant departments to conscientiously implement the common understandings formed at the KMT–CCP think tank forum, and strive to have the relevant outcomes take effect as soon as possible. If there is further news, it will be released in a timely manner. We hope the DPP authorities will keep in mind the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, promptly lift various man-made restrictions and bans, and remove obstacles to the restoration of normal cross-strait tourism exchange and cooperation.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: On February 3, the General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the 2025 list of “China Consumer Famous Brands.” For the first time, multiple Taiwan-funded enterprises on the mainland were selected, drawing attention in cross-strait public opinion, with some saying that Taiwan businesspeople, Taiwan compatriots, and Taiwan enterprises are enjoying increasingly widespread equal treatment on the mainland. Could the spokesperson introduce the relevant situation?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: The MIIT released the 2025 list of “China Consumer Famous Brands,” and for the first time included Taiwan-funded enterprises on the mainland within the scope of selection. A number of Taiwan-funded enterprise brands that have taken root on the mainland and cultivated the market in depth were selected. This is another important measure for us to implement equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises and to deepen integrated development across the Strait, and it fully reflects our consistent position of firmly supporting the development of Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises. In addition to “China Consumer Famous Brands,” we also support Taiwan-funded enterprises on the mainland in participating in selections such as the China Industry Awards, “front-runner” enterprises in China’s industrial data governance, and “front-runner” enterprises in China’s industrial carbon-peaking efforts. Multiple Taiwan enterprises have been selected, sharing in the honors and opportunities of national brand-building, and jointly strengthening the Chinese nation’s economy.

During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, the advancement of Chinese modernization will surely create even broader space for the development of Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises. We warmly welcome the broad number of Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises to take root on the mainland, seize the opportunities of the times, and achieve better development. We will actively promote cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation, take the lead in sharing with Taiwan compatriots the opportunities and achievements of Chinese modernization, and enable Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises to have a stronger sense of happiness, gain, and participation in national rejuvenation.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Regarding the KMT–CCP think tank forum held in Beijing, KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wen said that the mainland are family, and would absolutely not do anything that would pit flesh and blood against each other; and that as long as Lai Ching-te accepts the “1992 Consensus,” peace and prosperity can be exchanged for. What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are one family; we are all Chinese. This is the base color of cross-strait relations. The “1992 Consensus” is the political foundation for the development of cross-strait relations and the stabilizing anchor of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. On the basis of the shared political foundation of upholding the “1992 Consensus” and opposing “Taiwan independence,” we are willing to, together with Taiwan’s various political parties, groups, and people from all walks of life—including the Chinese Kuomintang—strengthen exchanges and cooperation, maintain positive interaction, jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and bring benefits to compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, the DPP authorities have been promoting a redesign of New Taiwan dollar banknotes. The new notes would no longer feature portraits of political figures such as Sun Yat-sen. Public opinion in Taiwan has questioned whether the DPP authorities are once again engaging in “de-Sinicization.” What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: This year marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of China’s democratic revolution. The DPP authorities are deliberately pushing to “de–Sun Yat-sen-ify” New Taiwan dollar banknotes. Their purpose is to sever the historical and cultural links between the two sides of the Strait and promote “de-Sinicization,” thereby shaping a “Taiwan independence” ideology within Taiwanese society. This political manipulation, harboring sinister intentions, is a betrayal of Mr. Sun Yat-sen and the pioneers of the 1911 Revolution—an act of denying their roots and forgetting their ancestors, and it is contemptible.

History is history, and facts are facts—they cannot be changed or erased. No matter how much the DPP authorities scheme and act recklessly, the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China cannot be changed, and the Chinese national identity of Taiwan compatriots cannot be erased.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Regarding mainland spouse Li Zhenxiu, who is expected to take up a seat as a substitute at-large legislator for the Taiwan People’s Party and become Taiwan’s first mainland-spouse legislator. The head of the Mainland Affairs Council, Chiu Chui-cheng, said that “Li must renounce Chinese nationality within one year of taking office, otherwise she cannot hold public office.” What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: There is only one China in the world; the mainland and Taiwan both belong to one China. Fundamentally, there is no such thing as a so-called “renouncing nationality” issue. The DPP authorities stubbornly adhere to a “Taiwan independence” stance and brazenly peddle the “two-states theory,” deliberately provoking and challenging the historical and legal fact that the two sides of the Strait belong to one China. They are using every means to suppress mainland spouses in Taiwan. We firmly oppose this. The DPP authorities’ various wrongdoings have already met with increasingly strong opposition from more and more people in Taiwan.

At the February 5 Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: With the Lunar New Year and winter vacation approaching, Taiwan compatriots, Taiwan businesspeople, and Taiwan students on the mainland are paying close attention to the availability of tickets for returning to Taiwan. What are this year’s flight arrangements?

TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua responded: Direct cross-strait air links have greatly facilitated travel between people on both sides and have played an important role in improving the well-being of compatriots across the Strait. At present, due to interference by the DPP authorities, cross-strait routes and airports have not yet fully returned to normal. The mainland currently operates more than 300 weekly passenger flights on cross-strait routes from 14 cities. Compared with the pre-2020 situation—when there were 61 mainland departure/arrival points and up to 890 weekly passenger flights—this remains a large gap, which has seriously affected cross-strait travel. There is a very strong call among compatriots on both sides for the full resumption of cross-strait direct flight routes and airports.

The Lunar New Year is the most important traditional festival of the Chinese nation, and Taiwan compatriots, Taiwan businesspeople, and Taiwan students are eagerly hoping to travel smoothly and return home for the holiday. Relevant mainland authorities will think what Taiwan compatriots think and act urgently on what they need, and will actively make thorough preparations for all aspects of additional Lunar New Year flights across the Strait. We hope the Taiwan side will follow public sentiment, promptly lift unreasonable restrictions on cross-strait air transport, and meet the travel needs of compatriots on both sides—especially Taiwan compatriots.

At the January 28 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, TAO spokesperson Zhang Han announced that, following consultations between relevant bodies of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CPC), the “KMT–CPC Think Tank Forum” will be held in Beijing on February 3. The forum is jointly organized by the Cross-Strait Research Center of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the National Policy Research Foundation of the Chinese Kuomintang.

The theme of this year’s forum is “Prospects for Cross-Strait Exchange and Cooperation.” Representatives, experts, and scholars from both parties and from sectors including tourism, industry, science and technology, healthcare, and environmental protection from both sides of the Strait will attend. They will conduct in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics such as cross-Strait tourism, industry, the environment, and sustainable development cooperation, jointly deliberate on major plans for the development of cross-Strait relations, and seek ways to advance the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.