The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council talks about the mainland’s new Taiwan-related measures and Taiwan’s restrictions on cross-strait exchanges

　　BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) The Taiwan Province Affairs Office of the State Council held a press conference today. Spokesperson An Fengshan responded to 31 measures taken by the mainland to promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, Taiwan Province authorities may further restrict cross-strait exchanges, Taiwan’s Hualien earthquake assistance to the mainland, and trends between the United States and Taiwan.

　　Mainland launches 31 measures to promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.

　　An Fengshan introduced that the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the National Development and Reform Commission led a multi-sectoral study and promulgated the "Several Measures on Promoting Cross-Strait Economic and Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation", and introduced 31 related measures to actively promote the equal treatment of Taiwan-funded enterprises and mainland enterprises in the fields of investment and economic cooperation, and gradually provide Taiwan Province compatriots with the same treatment as mainland compatriots in studying, starting businesses, employment and life. The introduction of these measures will bring great opportunities and a real sense of gain to Taiwan-funded enterprises and Taiwan Province compatriots.

　　Is the Taiwan authorities’ cross-strait policy shrinking? Taiwan Affairs Office responded

　　After the Hualien earthquake, Tsai Ing-Wen expressed his gratitude to all parties in the mainland for their condolences and donations. At the Taiwanese Spring Festival Friendship Association, Tsai Ing-Wen mentioned that the cross-strait policy attitude showed signs of "turning from hard to soft". Public opinion believes that the Taiwan authorities are releasing goodwill to the mainland, but a few days ago, teams from Taiwan Affairs Offices in mainland provinces and cities were not approved by Taiwan Province. Does this mean that the Taiwan Province authorities are further restricting cross-strait exchanges?

　　An Fengshan said that the Taiwan authorities’ practice of obstructing and restricting cross-strait exchanges and cooperation runs counter to their so-called goodwill to promote the development of cross-strait relations. Whether cross-strait relations can really be improved depends not on verbal goodwill, but on taking concrete actions.

　　Will the mainland pass the Law on the Rights and Interests of Taiwan Province Compatriots this year? Taiwan Affairs Office responded

　　Some Taiwan Province media said that the mainland may pass the Law on the Rights and Interests of Taiwan Province Compatriots this year. An Fengshan said that he did not know the specific situation. However, it is what we have been doing to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan Province compatriots, especially Taiwanese businessmen, in the mainland, including through the use of laws.

　　Never allow a few people to make money on the mainland but support "Taiwan independence."

　　The Honorary President of Zhangzhou Taiwanese Business Association was interviewed in Taiwan and said that he would try his best to support the decision of the Taiwan Province authorities. Some mainland netizens pointed out that this person is a "two-faced Taiwanese businessman". The current president of Zhangzhou Taiwanese Business Association publicly stated that as long as the DPP authorities do not recognize the "1992 Consensus", mainland Taiwanese businessmen will not support it.

　　An Fengshan pointed out that our position and attitude on this issue are very clear. We welcome the vast number of Taiwanese businessmen to invest and develop in the mainland, but at the same time, we will never allow a few people to make money in the mainland while supporting "Taiwan independence" to undermine cross-strait relations.

　　According to the survey, more than 50% of young people in Taiwan Province want to come to the mainland to develop the Taiwan Affairs Office.

　　The 2018 Taiwan Province popular sentiment survey released by Taiwanese media recently shows that more than 50% of young people want to develop in the mainland, an increase of 10% over last year. An Fengshan said that the mainland’s achievements in reform and opening up over the past 40 years are obvious to all, and the various Taiwan policies promoted by the mainland in recent years that are conducive to the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots have long been popular among the people. Compared with the current social situation in Taiwan Province and what the Taiwan authorities are doing now, more people in Taiwan Province can make such a judgment and choice.

　　Refuting that "Taiwanese actors participating in CCTV Spring Festival Evening sketch is ‘ United front ’ "

　　This year’s CCTV Spring Festival Evening sketch "Going Home" starred three people from Taiwan Province, which triggered public discussion in Taiwan Province. An Fengshan said in this regard that if this kind of literary work reflecting the homesickness of wanderers is interpreted as "United front" or discrimination, it can only be said that if you wear colored glasses, the whole world will be "green".

　　Some shameless people in Taiwan Province act as chess pieces for outsiders to curb China.

　　An expert from a think tank in the United States claimed to make President Trump swear the Taiwan Strait as an "international high sea", and some media on the island followed suit and speculated that this move could further counter the mainland threat. An Fengshan responded that some shameless people in Taiwan Province acted as pawns for outsiders to curb the rise of China, even at the expense of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, betting on the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait. Isn’t this painful for relatives and quick for enemies?

　　Advise Taiwan not to blackmail the foreign self-respect, or it will pay for itself.

　　A few days ago, a delegation composed of members of the US House of Representatives and Senate committees visited Taiwan Province and held talks with Tsai Ing-Wen, who expressed the hope that the "US-Taiwan" relationship would be established in by going up one flight of stairs. An Fengshan said that we have made it clear many times that we are firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges and military ties between the United States and Taiwan, and we are also firmly opposed to the United States selling weapons to Taiwan Province under any pretext. This position and attitude is very clear. We also advise Taiwan Province not to coerce foreign self-respect, otherwise it will reap the consequences.

　　After the Hualien earthquake, mainland parties have donated 23.075 million yuan.

　　An Fengshan said that after the "2.6" earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan, relevant parties in the mainland and all walks of life were highly concerned. Zhang Zhijun, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, immediately expressed condolences to the affected people and expressed his willingness to provide necessary assistance in all aspects. ARATS, the Red Cross Society of China, the Earthquake Association of China and other relevant parties and many provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions quickly expressed their condolences and condolences to the compatriots in the disaster area and those on both sides of the strait who died in different ways, and expressed their willingness to provide all necessary assistance and donations, including disaster relief equipment. According to incomplete statistics, relevant mainland authorities, institutions and enterprises in Taiwan, some provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions and Taiwan-funded enterprises have donated a total of 23.075 million yuan.

　　The mainland has taken many measures to ensure that Taiwanese businessmen and Taiwan compatriots return home for the holidays.

　　During the Spring Festival this year, because the Taiwan Province authorities did not approve the overtime flights of two mainland airlines, the air tickets to Taiwan were tight. An Fengshan pointed out that the mainland authorities have taken various measures to fully ensure that Taiwanese businessmen and Taiwan compatriots in the mainland can return home for the holidays. During the seven days of the Spring Festival, 42,300 passengers were transported through the "mini three links" and other maritime passenger routes, an increase of 17.32% over the same period last year.