In a recent development highlighting cross-strait technological integration, the popular Chinese mainland navigation app Amap has found itself at the center of a political controversy in the Taiwan region. Its newly launched traffic light countdown feature, praised by local residents for its convenience and near-perfect accuracy, has prompted the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to threaten a ban, citing unsubstantiated security concerns.
At a press conference this week, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, firmly rejected the DPP's stance. "It's absurd and ridiculous to ban or block mainland's technology and products just because they are effective and popular," Chen stated. He emphasized that such actions are "unpopular and doomed to fail."
The spokesperson outlined the broader context, noting that the Chinese mainland possesses world-leading digital mapping and navigation technologies. Services like Amap have been widely adopted not only across the mainland but also in many countries and regions for years, cutting travel time and enriching daily life. "These tech services meet people's daily needs… embodying the value of technological progress benefiting humanity," Chen said.
Amap's advanced capabilities in the region are not new. As early as 2022, mainland mapping platforms began offering street-level precise mapping services. In June 2025, Amap launched lane-level navigation, providing precise guidance for each driving lane and traffic signal status. Local media, including TVBS News, have reported on the app's high accuracy, with users highlighting its clear building markings, road condition alerts, and even warnings for children on the road.
Chen Binhua criticized the DPP authorities, accusing them of letting their pursuit of separatist "Taiwan independence" lead them to oppose the mainland to the point of being "anti-intellectual and anti-technology." He reiterated a message of shared prosperity, stating, "People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one big family, and we are willing to let our Taiwan compatriots be the first to share these technological achievements."
The situation underscores the ongoing tensions in cross-strait relations, where technological cooperation faces political hurdles, even when it directly benefits the daily lives of residents in the Taiwan region.
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: DPP's threat on Chinese mainland apps doomed to fail
cgtn.com
