At the Feb. 11 Taiwan Affairs Office press briefing, a reporter asked: Due to interference by the DPP authorities, cross-strait air routes have not yet fully returned to normal, seriously affecting travel between people on both sides. As compatriots on both sides strongly hope for the full resumption of all direct-flight routes and destinations, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has claimed that “without group-tour sources, airlines lose money on every flight, so the incentive isn’t great.” What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian replied: Cross-strait direct air links have greatly facilitated travel between people on both sides and have played an important role in enhancing the well-being of compatriots on both sides. At present, due to interference by the DPP authorities, cross-strait routes have not fully returned to normal. Passenger services currently operate from 14 mainland cities, with more than 300 cross-strait passenger flights per week. Compared with before 2020—when there were 61 mainland destinations and up to a peak of 890 passenger flights per week—there remains a significant gap, which has seriously affected cross-strait travel. Public calls for the full resumption of all direct-flight destinations are very strong.

Zhu noted: The mainland side has consistently upheld the concept that “compatriots on both sides are one family,” actively promoting cross-strait tourism exchanges and cooperation; our goodwill and sincerity are evident to all. In 2023, we announced the resumption of receiving group tours by Taiwan residents to the mainland; in 2024, we resumed allowing Fujian residents to travel to Kinmen and Matsu; in 2025, we announced the resumption of group tours from Fujian and Shanghai to Taiwan; and in early 2026, we again announced that we would resume allowing Shanghai residents to travel to Kinmen and Matsu. Yet the DPP authorities have not responded positively—on the contrary, they have repeatedly obstructed and restricted cross-strait tourism and exchanges across various fields, setting up hurdles and barriers. The crux of the current cross-strait tourism issue, and the obstacles to its resolution, lie entirely in interference and obstruction by the DPP authorities.

Zhu added: Whether cross-strait routes have a passenger base is something the data will show. According to statistics, in 2025 more than 5.78 million passenger trips were made across the Strait on direct passenger flights, and the average load factor on cross-strait routes reached 80%—fully reflecting strong demand for direct cross-strait flights. We hope the Taiwan side will follow public opinion and lift the unreasonable restrictions on cross-strait air transport as soon as possible, allowing airlines on both sides to arrange flight schedules independently in accordance with market demand. Whether there is demand for flights should be decided by the market. The DPP authorities can simply loosen the restrictions—then they will know once they try.

At the Feb. 11 Taiwan Affairs Office press briefing, a reporter asked: Enrollment work will soon begin for (1) mainland regular higher-education institutions admitting Taiwan high school graduates based on Taiwan’s General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT) scores, and (2) the joint admissions program through which regular higher-education institutions recruit overseas Chinese and students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, among other channels. Please introduce the relevant arrangements.

TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian replied: It is understood that mainland universities’ recruitment of Taiwan students will begin in succession in March. Taiwan students who hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents and valid ID proving residence in Taiwan, or a Taiwan Resident Residence Permit, and who possess the required prior academic qualifications, may enroll in mainland universities through four pathways:

First, sit for the joint admissions exam for overseas Chinese and students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to apply to 460 mainland universities (the “National Joint Admissions Exam”). Applicants may register online via the “National Joint Admissions Management System (candidate portal)” from March 1 to 15, and complete registration confirmation from March 11 to 31.

Second, apply to 451 mainland universities using Taiwan GSAT scores (the “GSAT-based admissions”). Applicants whose GSAT score in any one of the Chinese, mathematics, or English subjects reaches at least the “standard” level (均标级) may apply via the “Mainland (Motherland) regular higher-education institutions admitting Taiwan high school graduates based on Taiwan GSAT scores” system from March 1 to 31.

Third, sit for the “two-university joint admissions” exam for Jinan University and Huaqiao University; details are available in the admissions brochures posted on the two universities’ official websites.

Fourth, apply to 48 universities in Fujian via routes including Taiwan’s technical/vocational unified test (统测), subject-based tests (分科测验), and separate admissions exams specifically oriented toward Taiwan; for specific requirements, please consult the “Mainland (Motherland) Higher Education Admissions Information Network for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan” and the official websites of the universities concerned.

Zhu added: We warmly welcome more aspiring Taiwanese students to apply to mainland universities, to study alongside mainland students and grow together. We will also continue to provide greater convenience and services for Taiwan students coming to the mainland to pursue further study, helping more Taiwan students realize their life dreams on the mainland.

At the Feb. 11 Taiwan Affairs Office press briefing, a reporter asked: Lai Ching-te recently said that “four invariants” should be maintained in U.S.–China–Taiwan trilateral relations. KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen said the international landscape has already changed, yet Lai still clings to the “new two-states theory” and “wants to go to war with the mainland,” and that this strategy is completely wrong. What is your comment?

TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian replied: Lai Ching-te’s remarks completely expose his sinister intentions of “seeking independence by relying on the United States” and “seeking independence by relying on external forces,” as well as his “Taiwan independence” nature as a “saboteur of cross-strait peace” and a “maker of crises in the Taiwan Strait.” All of the history, facts, and legal basis regarding Taiwan prove that Taiwan is China’s Taiwan and an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair and brooks no external interference. No matter how bottomlessly the Lai Ching-te authorities flatter and curry favor with the United States, or how hard they try to concoct the lie that the United States “supports Taiwan,” they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor can they shake the basic international pattern of the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle. We have firm will, strong resolve, and powerful capabilities to smash all “Taiwan independence” separatist acts and external interference, and to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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.