Beijing, October 17, 2023—The Chinese mainland has strongly condemned Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for deliberately obstructing mainland participation in the 2024 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum, resulting in the exclusion of several delegates and journalists from the event.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, addressed media inquiries on Tuesday regarding the recently concluded forum, which has been alternately hosted by Shanghai and Taipei since 2010. Zhu criticized the DPP authorities’ actions as “unreasonable and widely unpopular,” emphasizing that such interference undermines cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.
Despite the challenges, this year’s forum facilitated meaningful discussions between representatives from both cities. The dialogues culminated in the signing of two memoranda of understanding aimed at fostering further collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
In his opening speech at the forum, Hua Yuan, deputy mayor of Shanghai, expressed the city’s intention to promote group tours for Shanghai residents to Taiwan. Responding to this initiative, Zhu reaffirmed the Chinese mainland’s consistent support for the normalization of cross-Strait exchanges, including tourism. “We look forward to the early resumption of travel to Taiwan for mainland residents, including those from Shanghai,” she stated, urging the DPP authorities to lift restrictions that hinder cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.
Zhu emphasized that the mainland will continue to work with Taiwan compatriots to promote exchanges, cooperation, and integration across the Taiwan Strait. “The actions taken by the DPP authorities cannot stop the momentum of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations,” she added.
The Shanghai-Taipei City Forum, initiated in 2010, serves as a significant platform for enhancing collaboration between the two cities. The forum addresses various topics, including economic development, cultural exchange, and urban governance, contributing to the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The obstruction of mainland participation in this year’s forum by the DPP authorities has drawn criticism from various sectors, highlighting the ongoing complexities in cross-Strait relations. As both sides navigate these challenges, the mainland reiterates its commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation for the mutual benefit of people across the strait.
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China's Mainland slams DPP for obstructing Shanghai-Taipei City Forum
cgtn.com
