Taiwan's DPP administration cannot block enthusiasm for cross-Straits exchanges: spokesperson

BEIJING -- Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration cannot block the enthusiasm of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits for exchanges, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

An Fengshan, a spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference that the DPP administration has recently stepped up efforts to obstruct and restrict normal cross-Straits exchanges, engaged in deliberate provocation and sabotage, and created vicious disturbances.

It, however, cannot block people's enthusiasm for exchanges, and a series of cross-Straits exchange events have been held recently, An noted.

"No matter how cross-Straits relations develop, we will continue to promote cross-Straits non-governmental exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and deepen integrated economic and social development across the Straits," he said.

A series of exchange activities will be held on the Chinese mainland during the upcoming summer vacation, according to the spokesperson.

With a total of about 600 participants, 24 student baseball teams from both sides of the Straits will compete in the third Cross-Straits Student Baseball League tournament to be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in late June.

In mid-July, 100 young people majoring in art design and tourism management across the Straits will take part in an event in Shanghai to learn about the development of the cultural tourism industry on the mainland.

In addition, relevant institutions and enterprises on the mainland will offer summer internships for young people from Taiwan.

An also invited people from Taiwan's industrial and commercial circles to participate in several cross-Straits events including investment cooperation fairs and forums to be held in the near future to seek development opportunities.

Acting out of its own selfish interests, the DPP administration has been obstructing cross-Straits exchanges, harming all industries and the well-being of all, An noted.

"What the DPP administration is most afraid of now is cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in various fields as well as people-to-people exchanges," he said.

This is because as people on both sides of the Straits get closer to each other and enhance mutual understanding, they will be able to break the lies of cross-Straits hostility and hatred the DPP administration deliberately creates, and the DPP's attempts to create tension and confrontation between the two sides in pursuit of its own Party's electoral interests will also be exposed, An explained.