At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Could you introduce the preparations for the 18th Straits Forum?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the 18th Straits Forum will be held in Fujian in mid-June, with the main forum conference taking place on June 13. The forum’s main venue will be in Xiamen, while relevant activities will also be held in Fujian’s prefecture-level cities and the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone.

This year’s forum will maintain its positioning as “people-to-people, grassroots, and broad-based,” and will continue the theme of “expanding people-to-people exchanges and deepening integrated development.” It will feature four major sections—grassroots exchanges, youth exchanges, cultural exchanges, and economic exchanges—with 58 activities. Representatives from relevant political parties in Taiwan, as well as figures from labor unions, youth, women’s groups, folk religious communities, agriculture and fisheries, water conservancy, culture and tourism, health care, industry and commerce, finance, and other sectors will be invited to participate.

Zhu said preparations for the forum are currently advancing steadily and smoothly. The forum’s press center will issue a notice for journalist interview applications, and media reporters are welcome to attend and cover the event.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: MAC Deputy Minister Shen You-chung recently said that polling shows most people in Taiwan are unwilling to accept “One Country, Two Systems,” do not agree with the “CCP’s suppression of Taiwan,” and insist that Taiwan’s future should be decided jointly by Taiwan’s 23 million people. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, and Taiwan’s future can only and must be decided jointly by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots. “Peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems” is the best way to achieve national reunification, best serves the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, including Taiwan compatriots, and is also the best choice for preserving Taiwan compatriots’ existing social system and way of life. The DPP authorities, driven by their “Taiwan independence” separatist agenda, are deliberately rejecting peaceful reunification and smearing “One Country, Two Systems” in an attempt to mislead public opinion and deceive the Taiwan public, but they will not succeed.

Zhu emphasized that differences in systems are not an obstacle to reunification, much less an excuse for division. More and more people of insight in Taiwan, she said, are no longer being coerced or deceived by the DPP authorities. They support peaceful cross-Strait reunification, are gradually recognizing and considering the benefits of “One Country, Two Systems,” and are offering suggestions in various ways for a Taiwan plan under “Two Systems.” Zhu said the mainland believes more Taiwan compatriots will fully recognize the superiority of “One Country, Two Systems,” and that the Taiwan plan under “Two Systems” will receive fuller discussion and presentation.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, Lai Ching-te said during a dialogue with high school students on the island that the influence of TikTok and Xiaohongshu on Taiwan’s younger generation has reached the level of a security crisis. Over time, he said, Taiwan may no longer have the will to defend democracy and may come to see “China” as a good person. He said he would ask education and cultural authorities to handle the matter properly. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that, for mainland compatriots, Taiwan compatriots are not only good people, but relatives and family. Taiwan compatriots, especially young people in Taiwan, increasingly like using mainland social media apps because these platforms allow them to enjoy more life experiences and opportunities for free expression. When they share food and scenery, they receive enthusiastic interactions filling the screen with comments such as “I really want to go see it.” When they post to search for relatives, many mainland internet users warmly respond and provide clues. When they want to exchange ideas or study, they can find all kinds of notes and tutorials, even “hand-holding” remote instruction. Every warm moment of intersection, Zhu said, is a “two-way journey” of “shared creation” by internet users on both sides of the Strait, and a vivid reflection of the idea that “both sides of the Strait are one family.”

Mainland social media apps help Taiwan’s youth grow, develop, and pursue their dreams, Zhu said, but the Lai Ching-te authorities continue to smear them and even intimidate and threaten Taiwan’s youth, showing that they are guilty and afraid. No matter how deliberately the Lai authorities try to undermine cross-Strait exchanges and integration, they will not succeed.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: The United States recently announced that the non-semiconductor Section 232 tariff preferences for Taiwan, as specified in the Taiwan-U.S. investment MOU, took effect on May 1. These include tariff rates of no more than 15 percent for auto parts, as well as logs, lumber, and wood-derived products. Taiwan’s executive branch said the preferences Taiwan received are consistent with those granted to the EU, Japan, and South Korea, and will help improve the competitiveness of related industries. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the DPP authorities are “kneeling to the United States and pledging loyalty,” selling out Taiwan’s core industries, sacrificing the future development prospects of Taiwan’s industries, and harming the interests and well-being of the Taiwan public.

Zhu said the DPP authorities made “bloodletting-like concessions,” including US$500 billion in investment in the United States and “zero tariffs” on 4,885 U.S. industrial products and 1,482 U.S. agricultural products, only to receive symbolic tariff preferences in return. Yet the DPP authorities, she said, still have the nerve to loudly claim credit and present this as their own “achievement,” which is entirely self-deception. Such perverse actions, Zhu said, cannot deceive Taiwan’s industries or the public, and will only cause the DPP authorities to suffer the consequences and become a laughingstock.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Among the ten policy measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, the measure stating that “Taiwanese industry professionals may participate in mainland micro-short drama production in various ways” has attracted attention. What methods and channels are available for Taiwanese compatriots to participate in micro-short drama production?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that micro-short dramas are a new form of popular art in the internet age, are deeply loved by young people on both sides of the Strait, and have become a new growth point for the cultural industry. On April 12, the Central Taiwan Affairs Office was authorized to release ten policy measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. The ninth measure included the statement that “Taiwanese industry professionals may participate in mainland micro-short drama production in various ways,” providing strong policy support for advancing cross-Strait exchange and cooperation in micro-short dramas.

At present, there are three main channels for Taiwanese industry professionals to participate in mainland micro-short drama production. First, they may invest in Fujian to establish radio and television program production and operation companies. The Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Path for Cross-Strait Integrated Development and Building a Demonstration Zone for Cross-Strait Integrated Development clearly proposed a pilot program allowing Taiwanese industry professionals to invest in Fujian to establish radio and television program production and operation companies. At present, 18 Taiwan-invested enterprises in Fujian have obtained radio and television program production and operation licenses and are producing micro-short dramas.

Second, they may co-produce and jointly create micro-short dramas with mainland industry professionals. Creative teams from both sides of the Strait can jointly produce works, drawing on their respective strengths in production coordination, acting and promotion, filming execution, visual design, and other areas.

Third, they may participate in micro-short drama performances. Taiwanese performing artists may take part in the filming of various types of micro-short dramas. Zhu said the mainland welcomes Taiwanese industry professionals with dreams and a hardworking spirit to seize the opportunity, actively participate in micro-short drama creation, and jointly promote the inheritance, protection, innovation, and development of Chinese culture.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, Taiwan’s legislature reviewed a new special budget of nearly NT$300 billion for arms purchases from the United States. Multiple political parties and groups on the island protested the DPP authorities’ single-minded pursuit of U.S. arms purchases and called for strengthening cross-Strait dialogue and sharing the dividends of peace. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that, in pursuit of the political self-interest of “Taiwan independence,” the DPP authorities are engaging in militarism and “preparing for war to seek independence.” They are intensifying their waste of the hard-earned money of Taiwan’s people, willingly acting as an “ATM” for the U.S. military-industrial complex, and are willing to turn Taiwan into a “powder keg,” coercing the public into becoming “Taiwan independence” cannon fodder and pushing Taiwan compatriots into the dangerous situation of war and conflict. All sectors of Taiwan society have already expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, Zhu said.

Taiwan’s future, and the security, interests, and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, lie in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and national reunification, Zhu said. She expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots will recognize the extreme danger and harm of the DPP authorities’ stubborn adherence to a separatist “Taiwan independence” line, firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, and work together with the mainland to return cross-Strait relations to the correct track of peaceful development, while effectively safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as well as their own security and well-being.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, the leaders of Japan and the Philippines issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and announcing the launch of so-called “maritime delimitation negotiations.” The DPP authorities echoed this. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. The maritime area that Japan and the Philippines have announced they intend to delimit lies east of China’s Taiwan Island. Their so-called “delimitation negotiations” seriously infringe upon China’s maritime rights and interests, seriously violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, and are completely illegal and invalid.

Compatriots on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation, Zhu said, and should stand firm on the position of the nation, uphold national righteousness, jointly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the overall interests of the Chinese nation. If the DPP authorities dare to attach themselves to external forces and sell out the interests of the nation, they will inevitably be rejected by compatriots on both sides of the Strait and punished by history.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, the Fujian Coast Guard conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters near Kinmen in accordance with the law. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said the mainland coast guard was “attempting to create the false impression that it has jurisdiction over Kinmen waters.” What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all part of China. Mainland coast guard authorities conducting law-enforcement patrols in relevant waters in accordance with the law, maintaining order for maritime operations, and safeguarding the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait are normal acts in the performance of their duties.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Recently, local “provincial super leagues” across the mainland have been held with great enthusiasm. In particular, the “Fujian Super League” has launched a series of distinctive Taiwan-focused activities, drawing strong attention from many Taiwanese compatriots. Could you introduce the relevant situation?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that, as everyone has seen, this summer, the viral memes of the “Jiangsu Super League,” the cross-Strait sentiment of the “Fujian Super League,” the cheerleading squads of the “Guangdong Super League,” the “rise up” chants of the “Sichuan Super League,” and the lively atmosphere of the “Northeast Super League” have ignited the passion and enthusiasm of football fans on both sides of the Strait every weekend.

To support the construction of a demonstration zone for integrated cross-Strait development, the “Fujian Super League” recently launched three innovative Taiwan-focused activity series. First, “inviting you to participate”: dedicated roster spots have been opened for Taiwanese compatriots, with each Fujian Super League team allowed to add two Taiwanese players. Second, “inviting you to watch matches”: home venues across the league’s competition areas will invite Taiwanese compatriots to Fujian to watch games, launch a short-video collection campaign titled “Cross-Strait Fans Cheering Together in the Same Frame,” and invite cheerleading teams with Kinmen and Matsu characteristics to perform on the same stage as Fujian cheerleading teams. Third, “inviting you to exchange”: each competition area will proactively connect with teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as overseas Chinese communities, to hold regular friendly exchange matches. Xiamen, Pingtan, and other locations will each host at least one special exchange match between Fujian Super League teams and city teams from Taiwan.

At the June 3 State Council Taiwan Affairs Office press conference, a reporter asked: Taiwanese internet celebrity “Guanzhang” recently livestreamed visits in Sichuan and Chongqing, checking in at the Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Sites Museum, visiting the Zhang Xue motorcycle factory, watching Sichuan opera face-changing and giant pandas. Other Taiwanese internet celebrities also climbed to a height of 178 meters to overlook the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge and traveled to Yichang to measure the Three Gorges Dam on foot. These activities have drawn significant attention from internet users on both sides of the Strait. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that, during this period, “we have seen a number of Taiwanese internet influencer friends visit and livestream from Chongqing, Sichuan, Fujian, Hubei, and other places,” sharing with people on the island scenes and impressions of checking in at scenic sites across the mainland, tasting local food, exploring museums and major engineering projects, learning about history, experiencing distinctive culture, joining the daily lives of mainland compatriots, and interacting with mainland young entrepreneurs and businesspeople to discuss cooperation.

Many internet users on both sides of the Strait, especially Taiwanese netizens, responded enthusiastically, expressing hope for more similar goodwill interactions and objective introductions, Zhu said.

“Seeing is better than hearing a hundred times; meeting in person creates a measure of affection,” Zhu said. “We welcome Taiwanese compatriots, including Taiwanese internet influencers, to come to the mainland more often to look around, understand and introduce the mainland in various ways, and share with more friends their real experiences and the development opportunities they encounter on the mainland.”