On the morning of September 13th, the Taiwan Affairs Office held a regular press conference, and spokesperson Chen Binhua answered questions from reporters.

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Taiwan Affairs Office: The number of Taiwanese compatriots visiting mainland China in the first half of the year has increased by 7 times compared to the same period last year

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council held a regular press conference today. At the meeting, spokesperson Chen Binhua introduced the cross-strait personnel exchanges and exchanges in various fields during this summer. He pointed out that since the beginning of this year, we have timely optimized and adjusted epidemic prevention and control measures related to personnel exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, promoted the resumption of "small three links" and direct flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, announced the resumption of team tours for Taiwanese residents to mainland China, and exchanges in various fields across the Taiwan Strait have rapidly heated up, with a good momentum. The number of Taiwanese compatriots coming to mainland China in the first half of the year increased by 7 times compared to the same period last year. Especially after entering the summer vacation, cross-strait exchanges have become more lively, and the enthusiasm and enthusiasm of Taiwanese people to participate in cross-strait exchanges have increased. Overall, there are several main characteristics:

One is that young people have become the most active group in cross-strait exchanges, and the content and forms of cross-strait youth exchanges are rich and diverse. Secondly, cross-strait exchanges have broken through the numerous obstacles set by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities and achieved a "two-way journey". The third is the splendid cultural exchange between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, where excellent traditional Chinese culture and trendy culture are increasingly loved by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Fourthly, the cultural industry cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has yielded fruitful results. The 14th Cross Strait Cultural Expo was held in Xiamen, with a record high exhibition scale, including 883 booths in Taiwan, an increase of 48% compared to the previous edition. During the conference, 77 cultural and tourism investment projects were signed, with a total signing amount of 28.1 billion yuan and an on-site transaction amount of 2.8 billion yuan. The number of visitors reached 120000.

Chen Binhua also introduced that there will be multiple cross-strait cultural exchange activities in mid to late September. The first Cross Strait Anime Dubbing Competition is being held through a combination of online and offline channels. As of yesterday, 2852 entries have been received, including 521 from Taiwan. The third IM Cross Strait Youth Film Festival is currently being held in Pingtan, Fujian. It has collected 1849 works from 331 universities at home and abroad, of which 27 universities in Taiwan have submitted 121 works and 15 have been nominated for awards. In addition, from September 18th to 28th, the 2023 Cross Strait Compatriots Escort Mazu of Meizhou on a Golden Body Tour of Putian, Fujian Province will be held; From September 21st to 23rd, the 2023 Cross Strait Zhouyi Cultural Forum will be held in Anyang, Henan Province; The 11th Central Plains Root Culture Festival will be held in Xinyang, Henan from September 21st to 27th. We sincerely welcome compatriots on both sides of the Straits to pay attention to relevant activities, participate in cultural exchanges across the Straits, and jointly inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Foreign media reports that the Japanese Ministry of Defense will send current civilian officials to Taiwan, and the Taiwan Affairs Office firmly opposes it

According to foreign media reports, Japan's Ministry of Defense will send current civilian officials to Taiwan.

Mainland China suspends or partially suspends tariff preferences granted to Taiwan under ECFA, Taiwan Affairs Office responds

The mainland announced that it will study the suspension or partial suspension of tariff preferences for Taiwan products under the ECFA based on the investigation of trade barriers against Taiwan, which has raised concerns among the industry and people on the island. At today's regular press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, spokesperson Chen Binhua pointed out that in June 2010, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait signed the Cross Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement on the basis of the 1992 Consensus. Over the years, the mainland has consistently fulfilled its commitments and promoted and ensured the effectiveness and implementation of the ECFA.

This not only seriously hinders the implementation of ECFA, but also seriously violates the non discrimination principle of the World Trade Organization.

Chen Binhua said that we support the Ministry of Commerce to study the suspension or partial suspension of tariff preferences granted to Taiwan products under ECFA according to relevant regulations in combination with the investigation of trade barriers to Taiwan.