DPP criticized for restricting participation in Straits Forum

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for smearing the Straits Forum and restricting the freedom of movement and expression of Taiwan residents for their own political gain.

Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a regular news conference that the DPP authorities, driven by their entrenched "Taiwan independence" stance, have disregarded public opinion and the needs of local development, lacking the willingness and ability to handle cross-Strait relations properly.

Zhang was responding to a recent decision by Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" to prohibit local officials from attending the upcoming Straits Forum in Fujian province for the first time. The council also labeled the event a "united front" platform and discouraged Taiwan residents from participating in related activities.

The main conference of the 18th Straits Forum will take place on Saturday. Chang Jung-kung, vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, along with representatives from various sectors in Taiwan, will participate in the event, according to Zhang.

The forum is regarded as the largest annual grassroots exchange event across the Taiwan Strait. Forum-related activities are being held across Fujian, with nearly 1,000 Taiwan people taking part.

Zhang said that the forum has played a significant and constructive role in promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation and in enhancing the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and has been widely welcomed by people on both sides. She accused the DPP authorities of smearing the forum, undermining cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and restricting the freedom of movement and expression of Taiwan compatriots for their own political interests. Such actions, she said, have seriously harmed the interests and well-being of people on the island.

Public opinion in Taiwan holds that banning exchanges through a mere administrative directive has made many people feel threatened. Zhang said such actions fully expose the true nature of the DPP's so-called democracy as "fake democracy, real authoritarianism".

"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family," she said. "The prevailing trend of closer interaction, more frequent exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties between the two sides is unstoppable by any force," Zhang said.