Mainland spokeswoman denies DPP allegations of election interference

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday rejected allegations by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities that the mainland was attempting to interfere in the island's local elections, calling the claims groundless and a distortion of facts.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to statements by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities warning of alleged mainland "cognitive warfare" and election interference through criminal gangs or local collaborators.

Zhu accused the DPP authorities of repeatedly manipulating anti-mainland sentiment, particularly during election periods, by spreading false allegations of mainland interference.

She said such tactics were intended to divert attention from the DPP authorities' poor governance, stir up hostility toward the mainland, and win votes. An increasing number of Taiwan residents were seeing through these political maneuvers, she added.