Taiwan's MAC Bans Participation in Straits Forum; China's TAO Says Activities Underway

(Central News Agency, correspondent Zhang Shuling, Beijing, 10th) Zhang Han, spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), claimed today that the series of activities for the Straits Forum have already commenced. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) had previously issued a ban prohibiting personnel from central agencies and local governments from participating in Straits Forum-related activities, with local government personnel being banned for the first time.

The main conference of the 18th Straits Forum will be held on the 13th in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Zhang Han stated at the TAO's regular press conference today that Chang Jung-kung, Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang, and other "representatives from various sectors in Taiwan" will attend the conference.

Zhang Han claimed that the series of Straits Forum activities are being carried out in various locations across Fujian, with four events, including the Cross-Strait Dragon Boat Race, already held, and "nearly a thousand Taiwanese compatriots actively participating." He added that the overall activities cover multiple fields such as grassroots governance and folk beliefs, and aim to promote对接 (docking/cooperation) between the two sides in areas like education, e-commerce, biomedicine, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Mainland Affairs Council announced on the 4th that it would prohibit civil servants and public officials from central and local governments from participating in Straits Forum-related activities. Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling, who had been invited by the forum's organizers, became the first local chief to be banned by the government from attending the Straits Forum in China under this new policy.

In response, Zhang Han criticized the aforementioned ban and stated that the mainland is willing to promote cross-strait exchanges, cooperation, and personnel exchanges in various fields with all political parties, groups, and people from all walks of life in Taiwan "on the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus."

MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng reiterated in an online program interview on the 9th that Taiwan does not want the united front platform deliberately built by the Chinese Communist Party, which seeks to infiltrate and divide Taiwan through exchanges. He stated that Taiwan needs cross-strait exchanges, but they must be equal, dignified, healthy, and orderly. He opposed exchanges with united front tasks and political risks, emphasizing that Taiwan needs professional and pure exchanges, and must pursue "de-united frontization, de-risking, and de-politicization." (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150610