Taiwan slams China for ’distorting’ cross-strait exchanges

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) accused the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of distorting cross-strait exchanges in a statement released Tuesday night (Dec. 19).

The MAC alleged the CCP uses hospitality to manipulate Taiwanese grassroots, despite claiming to encourage interaction. This response comes after China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) stated that "the momentum of cross-strait exchanges is unstoppable."

The MAC criticized the CCP for creating obstacles, fabricating charges, unlawfully detaining people, and practicing autocratic rule, according to the statement.

The controversy revolves around allegations that 41 village chiefs from Taipei accepted trips to China at preferential prices and promoted specific candidates upon return.

TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian attributed Taiwanese frustrations to the policies of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government but did not address whether TAO funded the trips.

This exchange highlights ongoing tension in cross-strait relations, with Taiwan concerned about CCP influence operations and China pushing for closer ties.