On October 16, during a press conference, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, addressed recent announcements from the mainland regarding free or discounted admission for over a thousand scenic spots for Taiwanese “first-time visitors.” The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has labeled this action as a “united front tactic.”
Chen emphasized the importance of clarifying the terminology surrounding these policies. He explained that the term “united front” refers to a cooperative strategy—historically significant during the anti-Japanese war when the Kuomintang and the Communist Party collaborated, forming a united front that contributed to the victory against Japanese invaders. This cooperation ultimately led to the liberation of Taiwan, ending a painful history of foreign occupation and colonization. According to Chen, the united front has always been a vital tool for the Communist Party of China in uniting people and galvanizing strength.
In this new era, Chen stated that the main task of the united front is to maintain broad unity and cooperation, continually reinforcing and expanding the patriotic united front. This involves harnessing the collective wisdom and strength of all Chinese people, both domestically and abroad, to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Stressing that fellow Taiwanese are integral members of the Chinese nation, Chen reaffirmed the commitment to uniting the Taiwan compatriots, addressing their practical needs, and harnessing their strength to jointly advance national rejuvenation.
Additionally, Chen introduced the implementation of the “Fujian Province Regulations on the Protection of Archives Relating to Cross-Strait Relations,” which took effect on October 1. He noted that Fujian serves as a significant ancestral homeland for many Taiwanese. The passage of this legislation is crucial for safeguarding the wealth of historical documents generated through cross-strait exchanges, as these records encapsulate the deep historical ties between the two regions and the cultural memory of the Chinese nation.
The regulations comprise 25 articles detailing the definition and scope of cross-strait archival materials. They outline objectives, protection principles, mechanisms, responsibilities, and utilization strategies. Notably, the regulations advocate for shared resource utilization, enhanced research and development, and deeper cross-strait communication, all of which hold significant implications for preserving shared heritage and fostering cultural identity among people on both sides of the strait.
When discussing the resumption of group and individual travel for mainland residents to Kinmen, Chen indicated a robust market reaction following the restart of travel visa applications. Thousands of mainland citizens have reportedly applied for permits to visit Kinmen. After temporary disruptions caused by a typhoon during the National Day holiday, the travel route resumed on October 4, with 120 tourists departing from Xiamen for Kinmen on October 5, welcomed warmly by local residents. This enthusiasm underscores a strong yearning among people across the strait to enhance exchanges. Chen urged the DPP to lift unpopular restrictions on group travel, thereby facilitating a revival of cross-strait tourism.
