Reference News Network, March 18 report (by Ma Hanyan) On the morning of March 18, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council held a regular press conference. A reporter asked: Affected by the situation in the Middle East, nearly 100 Taiwanese compatriots who had been stranded there for several days were smoothly evacuated with the assistance of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and returned to Taiwan via Shanghai. Several affected Taiwanese compatriots said in media interviews that they thanked the motherland, it was the mainland that helped them return home. However, the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) claimed that these people were not stranded in the war zone in the Middle East, nor did they receive any notice, and it might be a "cognitive warfare" by the mainland. What is your comment on this?
Chen Binghua, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, responded that both sides of the strait are Chinese people. We always care about the safety and security of overseas Chinese citizens, including compatriots from Taiwan. Recently, due to the situation in the Middle East, many Taiwanese compatriots were stranded there. In recent days, the Consulate General of China in Istanbul coordinated with relevant parties to assist 93 Taiwanese compatriots to take mainland flights to Shanghai, and the local authorities promptly processed their Taiwan Compatriot Certificates, helping them return to Taiwan smoothly. In addition, many other Taiwanese compatriots sought help through the Chinese Consular App, the 12308 Consular Protection Hotline, etc., and Chinese embassies and consulates in Iran, Israel, Dubai, and other locations have also assisted Taiwanese compatriots in returning to Taiwan or moving to safe areas. The affected Taiwanese compatriots all expressed their feelings: "No matter when, the motherland is always there", "I have personally experienced the sentiment of 'one family across the strait'", "The Taiwan Compatriot Certificate is a talisman".
The spokesperson also said that the DPP authorities show indifference to the help-seeking of the stranded Taiwanese compatriots, and are indifferent, incompetent, and inactive. They even repeatedly attack and defame the mainland's care and protection of the Taiwanese compatriots, which is truly shameless. Who truly puts the Taiwanese compatriots in their hearts, and who truly protects them from the storm? The facts are right in front of us, and justice lies in the hearts of the people.
Spokesperson Chen Binghua of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (photo by Ma Hanyan)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/7618445796823941695/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.