China cross-Strait summits aim to ‘lecture’ not engage, says Taiwan

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Taiwan on Wednesday accused China of using cross-Strait summits as political tools to “lecture” Taipei instead of promoting genuine cultural and educational exchanges, according to local media.

In a statement reported by Focus Taiwan, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) criticized Beijing for organizing two summits this week for Taiwanese participants — the second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit and the sixth Cross-Strait Media Summit — saying the events did not reflect the spirit of authentic engagement.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s use of various forms of exchanges as instruments of united front work does nothing to narrow differences across the Taiwan Strait and will not gain the recognition of Taiwanese society,” the MAC said.

China rejected the accusations, claiming Taiwan’s ruling party was deliberately distorting facts. “These remarks expose their internal fear,” said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, as quoted by state-run Global Times.

Chen also criticized Taipei over reports that thousands of Chinese spouses in Taiwan may lose their settlement residency status for failing to provide proof of renouncing their mainland household registration.

He urged Taiwanese authorities to “act fairly and justly, refrain from political manipulation that interferes with normal judicial processes, and effectively safeguard the rights and interests of mainland spouses in Taiwan.”

“We will hold them accountable and impose severe penalties according to the law,” he added.

Local media said nearly 10,000 Chinese spouses face losing their residency under existing regulations.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid