Mainland spokesperson stresses cross-Strait exchange and cooperation

BEIJING - A spokesman from the Chinese mainland said Wednesday that Taiwan's current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration had "lifted a rock only to drop it on its own feet," in reference to the tapering of trips of some mainland personnel in Taiwan.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to concerns raised at a news briefing that some mainland personnel in Taiwan were subject to travel restrictions by the DPP administration.

The spokesperson stressed that exchange and cooperation had been the common wishes of cross-Strait compatriots since the start of cross-Strait exchange 30 years ago.

"For many years, we have been committed to promoting cross-Strait personnel exchanges, boosting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields and taking pragmatic measures to enhance friendship and improve well-being for people across the Taiwan Strait," Ma said.

Since May 20 last year, however, the DPP administration has undermined the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations while supporting "Taiwan independence" activities, the spokesperson said.

It has also impeded cross-Strait exchange and cooperation and fanned public grievances, Ma added.