At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on remarks recently made by Cheng Li-wen, chairperson of the Kuomintang. While speaking with university students in Taiwan, she said that in Taiwan today, saying “I am Chinese” means having to bear an inexplicable “original sin,” which she described as the result of 30 years of malicious manipulation by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). She added that identifying as Chinese is a natural cultural and historical identity and should not be demonized by the DPP. What is your response?

In reply, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. People on both sides are members of the Chinese nation and are all Chinese. This is a historical fact, a cultural understanding, a matter of shared heritage, and a legal reality—one that no one can deny.

He said that driven by their pursuit of “independence,” the DPP authorities have deliberately manipulated “de-Sinicization,” attempting to sever historical and cultural links across the Strait. In doing so, they seek to mislead the people of Taiwan, causing confusion over historical memory and distortion of national identity among Taiwan’s younger generation, with far-reaching harmful consequences. Voices of protest and criticism against this have continued to emerge from all sectors of Taiwanese society.

He added that the DPP authorities’ political manipulation is doomed to be futile and will not succeed.

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: As mainland (the motherland) universities are about to begin recruiting postgraduate students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, could you introduce the relevant arrangements?

In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that according to available information, mainland (the motherland) universities will soon launch their recruitment of postgraduate students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Taiwanese students who hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents and valid identification proving residence in Taiwan, or a Taiwan Resident Residence Permit, and who possess the required prior academic qualifications, may log on to the “Mainland (the Motherland) Universities Admissions Information Website for Students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan” between January 4 and January 11, 2026, to apply for postgraduate programs at more than 200 mainland universities, in accordance with the relevant requirements and procedures.

It is worth noting that for the 2026 postgraduate entrance examinations for students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, a new examination center in Fuzhou has been added to the existing centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao. Taiwanese students may choose an examination location according to their circumstances.

After years of development, the mainland’s higher education system has seen marked improvements in research capacity, academic standards, and the quality of talent cultivation, with achievements that are plain for all to see. We warmly welcome Taiwanese students to apply to mainland universities and will continue to create better conditions to support their growth, success, and pursuit of life goals while studying on the mainland.

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on remarks recently made by Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. Chiu said that “the obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges currently still lie on the mainland; the mainland is still applying compound pressure on Taiwan, and Taiwan hopes to create a favorable cross-Strait atmosphere.” What is your response?

In reply, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that these remarks ignore the facts and turn right and wrong upside down. The chief culprit behind inciting confrontation across the Strait and restricting cross-Strait exchanges is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. Since taking office, the DPP authorities—driven by their selfish pursuit of “independence”—have repeatedly used various excuses and methods to obstruct and restrict normal cross-Strait exchanges and people-to-people travel. They have also carried out what he described as “green terror,” created a “chilling effect,” and escalated cross-Strait confrontation. Such regressive actions have already drawn growing strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition from more and more people in Taiwan.

Exchanges and cooperation between people on both sides of the Strait cannot be stopped. We have always upheld the concept that “people on both sides of the Strait are one family,” and we welcome Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland, take part in exchanges and cooperation across various fields, share in the development opportunities of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create enduring well-being for the Chinese nation.

At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on Taiwan’s executive authorities recently approving draft amendments to the “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.” The proposed revisions would add new provisions requiring certain categories of people—such as elected representatives and county or city heads who have left office for less than three years—to obtain approval before traveling to the mainland. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council claimed that the move is intended to enhance security safeguards and strengthen civic oversight to prevent the mainland’s so-called “united front infiltration.”

In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that driven by their inherent pursuit of “independence,” the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are scheming to restrict cross-Strait exchanges and undermine cross-Strait relations. They are carrying out what he described as “Taiwan independence authoritarianism” and “green terror” on the island, creating widespread anxiety and insecurity throughout Taiwanese society. These actions have already drawn increasing opposition and condemnation from the people of Taiwan.

Facts have already proven—and will continue to prove—that the prevailing public will for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation cannot be suppressed. The surging tide of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation cannot be stopped.

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.