DPP does not reflect mainstream Taiwan, Beijing’s point man tells visiting industry group

TAO director Song Tao says January election results show the island’s ruling party does not represent the Taiwanese public
Song says the mainland will help Taiwanese businesses to share in the benefits of its economy

Taiwan election 2024

Alyssa Chen

Published: 5:37pm, 2 Feb 2024

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Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not represent public opinion on the island and cannot change the shift towards unification, according to the head of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO).

Addressing the first Taiwanese business group to visit the mainland since the DPP’s win in the presidential election last month, TAO director Song Tao told a delegation from the island’s electronics industry on Thursday that Beijing welcomed exchanges with any political party or organisation in Taiwan “as long as it is based on the one-China principle”.

“The election results have fully shown that DPP did not represent the island, nor did it represent the mainstream public opinion of Taiwan,” Hong Kong-headquartered Phoenix Television quoted Song as saying.

“The DPP remains in power but it will not change the basic pattern and direction of cross-strait relations … and it cannot prevent the historical trend of the reunification of the two sides,” he said, according to a TAO statement.

The DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen has refused to acknowledge the one-China principle since becoming president eight years ago, a policy her successor, William Lai Ching-te, is expected to continue.

Lai secured an unprecedented third consecutive presidential term for the DPP in the January 13 election with 40 per cent of the vote, the second-lowest winning share of the vote for an elected president since 1996.

The DPP also lost its majority in the island’s legislature, resulting in a hung parliament.

In the meeting with the group from the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association on Thursday, Song said the mainland’s economy was recovering well, had the most complete manufacturing chain in the world and would remain on a positive trajectory over the long run.

22:42

Opposition party in spotlight after Taiwan vote

He said his office would work with the National Development and Reform Commission to help Taiwanese businesses play a part in new infrastructure projects and share the opportunities generated by the mainland’s digital economy, according to Phoenix TV.

The Taiwanese delegation was led by association chairman Richard Lee.

According to the TAO statement, Lee said his association would continue to promote cross-strait industrial cooperation as well as help strengthen future cross-strait exchanges to improve understanding between young people.

The association has more than 3,000 members from across the spectrum of electrical and electronic manufacturing, according to its website.

One of the world’s most valuable chip firms, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is a member.

03:03

Taiwan simulates attack from mainland China as island’s military conscripts begin extended service

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory, to be reunited by force if necessary. Like most countries, the United States – the island’s biggest arms supplier – does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. But its robust unofficial ties with Taipei frustrate Beijing.

Since the presidential election, Beijing has sought to play down the result.

Two days after the vote, it also convinced one of 13 countries that still maintained official ties with Taiwan to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing.

The People’s Liberation Army resumed military activities near the island after a short lull, but it has not yet dramatically increased the scale of its activities.

This week, Beijing also unilaterally adjusted a civil aviation path that is west of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, the unofficial dividing line between Taiwan and the mainland.

Observers said the move was a punitive measure by Beijing in response to the election.