Official condemns island authorities for blocking cross-Strait exchanges

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is obstructing cross-Strait exchanges despite public support for peace and cooperation, a mainland official said on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the DPP of restricting academic exchanges by banning cooperation with Jinan University and two other mainland institutions. Recently, Taiwan expanded the blacklist to include seven more universities, including Beihang University and the Beijing Institute of Technology.

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"The DPP authorities are the main obstacle to cross-Strait cooperation and a destroyer of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

Chen also criticized the DPP for refusing to lift its ban on group tours to the mainland and delaying the comprehensive resumption of direct passenger flights. He said Taiwan authorities have obstructed travel for residents from Shanghai and Fujian province seeking to visit the island.

In January, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced plans to allow group tours to Taiwan for residents from Shanghai and Fujian, with preparations underway.

Chen accused the DPP of intimidating Taiwan residents seeking mainland identity documents and requiring public officials to sign declarations stating they do not hold them.

He also criticized Taiwan for banning the use of DeepSeek, restricting mainland telecom products in public schools and blacklisting over 100 mainland institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Confucius Institute.

"The desire of people on both sides to grow closer cannot be suppressed, and the trend of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation cannot be stopped. Reckless actions will lead to self-inflicted consequences," he added.

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China's 2025 Government Work Report proposed refining mechanisms to strengthen cross-Strait economic and cultural ties, which Chen said underscores Beijing's commitment to deeper engagement.

"Chinese modernization is a shared endeavor for people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan people have every reason to take part in this process," he said.

Fujian province has introduced 17 policy measures to support Taiwan residents and businesses, including allowing such residents to establish radio and television production companies in the province and expanding cooperation with marine aquaculture and biomedical industries.

In Yunnan province, Taiwan residents applying for a mainland travel permit for the first time as of this month are eligible for one year of free entry to 320 tourist attractions, including Lijiang Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.