Mainland condemns DPP for obstructing cross-Strait exchanges

BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for creating obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges and misleading the public with false claims. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to questions concerning recent moves by the DPP authorities to restrict or discourage exchanges with the mainland. Responding to claims by Taiwan's mainland affairs council that the new mainland entry and exit regulations could pose risks to Taiwan residents traveling to or working on the mainland, Zhu said there was no need for Taiwan residents to worry. The regulations are mainly aimed at improving the system for preventing security risks related to outbound travel and ensuring that reasons given in entry and exit applications are truthful and lawful, Zhu said. The regulations will help protect the legitimate rights and interests of people engaged in cross-Strait exchanges while creating a better legal environment for Taiwan residents visiting the mainland, she added. The DPP authorities are deliberately exaggerating risks with ill intent and seeking to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges through intimidation, misinformation and other means, Zhu said. She also rejected claims by Taiwan authorities that a mainland public service platform for young people from Taiwan was intended to collect personal information or serve political purposes. The DPP authorities were deliberately smearing the platform while restricting information and opportunities available to young people from Taiwan, said the spokesperson. "The trend of closer cross-Strait exchanges cannot be stopped," Zhu said, stressing that young people from Taiwan should have the right to choose where they pursue development opportunities. On the seizure by Taiwan authorities of a motorcycle assembled in Taiwan from parts of a mainland-made ZXMOTO motorcycle, Zhu said the move reflected the DPP authorities' efforts to block high-quality mainland products from entering Taiwan. Such actions run counter to the wishes of the people and will only undermine the island's business environment, Zhu added. Interest in ZXMOTO surged across Taiwan after the company's 820RR-RS race bike swept two races at the Portuguese round of the Superbike World Championship in March. Under current Taiwan regulations, however, complete heavy motorcycles and engines from the Chinese mainland are prohibited from entering Taiwan. Zhang Xue, founder of ZXMOTO, has previously expressed strong interest in opening a store in Taiwan, but the DPP authorities publicly opposed the proposal.