Mainland says no intervention in Taiwan elections

BEIJING - The mainland won't intervene in Taiwan's elections but it will maintain its focus on cross-Straits relations, the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office has said.

An unnamed spokesman of the office made the remarks when responding to a question on on-going elections of Taiwan leader and legislature.

"We have already made clear that we will not intervene in Taiwan's elections. What we are concerned is cross-Straits relations," said the spokesman.

The spokesman urged compatriots on both sides of the Straits to be "on high alert against political forces in Taiwan taking advantage of civilian-level exchanges to provoke conflict," in response to a question on a teenage singer displaying a Taiwan flag in public recently during a performance.

The political foundations of the 1992 consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence must be safeguarded, said the spokesman, adding the mainland has and will "always support cross-Straits cultural exchanges and exchanges between youth from both sides".

The spokesman said the office has been in contact with Taiwan authorities to make clear its attitude on the matter.

"We hope young people across the Straits can promote mutual understanding... and deepen correct knowledge of cross-Straits relations," the spokesman added.