Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, speaks at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson Wednesday warned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party over its impenitent stance on making provocations to pursue independence and stoking up confrontation across the Strait.

If the DPP continues down the old path of seeking "Taiwan independence" and confrontation, contrary to the will of the people, it will only further lead Taiwan into a more precarious situation, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference held in Beijing.

Chen made the comments in response to a media query concerning rhetoric from the island claiming that the mainland will "exert increased pressure on Taiwan through political, economic and military means" before DPP politician Lai Ching-te takes office as the new leader of the Taiwan region.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that the election results in Taiwan clearly demonstrate the prevailing public sentiment favoring peace over war, development over decline, communication over estrangement, and cooperation over confrontation

Earlier this month, Taiwan's leadership and legislature elections were held, with the DPP securing only 40.05 percent of the votes in the leadership election while losing its status as the largest and dominant political party in the new legislative body.

Chen stated that the election results in Taiwan clearly demonstrate the prevailing public sentiment favoring peace over war, development over decline, communication over estrangement, and cooperation over confrontation. He added that the majority of people in Taiwan aspire to see enhanced cross-strait relations.

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Cross-Strait cooperation

The spokesperson also said the future implementation of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, a comprehensive economic pact between the mainland and Taiwan, will be determined by the policies and attitudes of the DPP towards the mainland.

Chen said the agreement's implementation also hangs on whether the DPP authority can respond to the calls made by the people in Taiwan and take concrete measure to lift discriminatory trade restrictions against the mainland.

He made the remarks when responding to a media query regarding negative sentiments echoed towards the island's economy after DPP's Lai Ching-te won the Taiwan leadership election.

This undated file photo shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper and the urban landscape in Taipei. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

The spokesperson said it has been proven that good cross-Strait relations are conducive to Taiwan's development. He added that it has been proven that the ECFA is beneficial to Taiwan compatriots.

"Nobody hopes for good cross-Strait relations more than we do," said Chen. "We hope that Taiwan compatriots can all live lives of peace, stability and prosperity."

Support for youth to study, work on mainland

Meanwhile, young people from Taiwan are welcome to pursue and fulfill their dreams on the Chinese mainland, Chen said.

The spokesperson said more work will be done to improve the systems, policies, and measures related to education, internships, employment, and entrepreneurship of Taiwan's youth on the mainland.

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The mainland supports diverse exchanges and cooperation between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and will create better conditions and provide more support for young people from Taiwan to participate in cross-Strait exchanges and integrated development, said Chen.