TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office (國台辦) on Wednesday (Jan. 15) confirmed that the Taitung County Magistrate represented Taitung residents during her recent visit in China, emphasizing her focus on practical benefits for Taiwanese citizens. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) officials have launched an investigation after Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) met with Song Tao (宋濤), director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, in Beijing without prior notification.
Taiwan Affairs Council Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) stated Yao's visit aimed to promote Taitung's custard apples and expressed gratitude for China's decision to resume and expand fruit exports significantly. He also mentioned Yao's invitation to mainland Chinese citizens to visit Taitung for tourism and cultural exchanges, which he believes will enhance the welfare of grassroots Taiwanese people. Chen criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) authorities for threatening to punish those facilitating cross-strait exchanges. He claimed this stance contradicts mainstream Taiwanese public opinion and reveals the DPP's obstructionist approach to cross-strait cooperation.
Chen reiterated the belief that people across the Taiwan Strait are family and pledged China's commitment to opposing Taiwan's independence while fostering unity with various sectors in Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council will determine appropriate actions following their investigation. As the situation unfolds, the potential impact on cross-strait relations remains a focal point of interest.
