New spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Binhua, talks about cross-strait relations: No winter is insurmountable
"Dear Taiwanese villagers, Xu Da, brothers and sisters, good morning and hello! I am Chen Binhua, currently the Deputy Director of the Information Bureau of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. I will be presiding over today's press conference."
On the morning of September 13th, the Taiwan Affairs Office held its first press conference after a two-month summer recess, with the biggest highlight undoubtedly being the debut of the new spokesperson, Chen Binhua. This press conference lasted for an hour, and Chen Binhua showed a very steady typhoon and strong affinity in his debut, gaining media attention from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
After the press conference, Chen Binhua had a close conversation with on-site reporters. In response to the Beijing Daily client, he also responded to Taiwanese media reporters by saying, "I will communicate, exchange, and explain to my Taiwanese compatriots in language that they are willing to listen to, understand, and understand."
"Treasure Island Taiwan, always in my heart"
Chen Binhua is from Zhao'an, Fujian. He graduated from the Chinese Department of Xiamen University with a bachelor's degree. From both personal growth and educational experience, Chen Binhua, who later resided in Taiwan for many years, has a deep "Minnan gene" with a deep connection to the island.
In the first question asked by Taiwanese media at this press conference, a reporter from Taiwan's China Times focused on Chen Binhua's experience in Taiwan and his new identity as a spokesperson: "You have transitioned from a veteran in the news industry to a spokesperson position, and have been stationed in Taiwan for many years. Your understanding of Taiwan's society, politics, and economy is deeper and more comprehensive than that of the general public in mainland China. Now that you are serving as the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, how will you combine your early experience in Taiwan to better explain mainland China's policy towards Taiwan to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait?"
Chen Binhua was not eager to directly answer the question from the Taiwanese journalist, but first looked back on his experience in Taiwan with deep affection: "From 2001 to 2015, I visited Taiwan dozens of times for interviews, and my footprints spread throughout Taiwan, Penghu, and Jinma. The splendid New Year fireworks in Taipei 101, the romantic sunset in Xiziwan, Kaohsiung, the unique style of Lanyu in Taitung, and the simplicity of the enlightenment people. The devout worship of Mazu by the believers of the Tianhou Temple in Lugang, Changhua, and the figures of farmer friends working in the fields by the Zhuoshui River in Yunlin... each scene is still vivid in my memory; Taiwan, the treasure island, is always in my heart."
He said that these will help him in his position as spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, using language that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, especially those in Taiwan, are willing to listen to and understand, to better explain the mainland's policies and policies towards Taiwan, and to enable local residents to understand and understand our sincerity and goodwill.
"No winter is insurmountable"
Having been stationed in Taiwan for many years, Chen Binhua wrote three books: "Letters from the First Batch of Mainland Chinese Journalists stationed in Taiwan - Residing in Taiwan", "Experiencing Taiwan's General Election", and "Being Free in Taiwan - A Ten Year Journey of a Mainland Chinese".
"In the" Letters of the First Batch of Mainland Journalists stationed in Taiwan - Residing in Taiwan "chapter 10," Cross Strait Relations: Where is Spring ", some historical events such as Chen Shui bian's rejection of the" 1992 Consensus "and" One China Principle "are recorded. Now, 22 years have passed, and you have served as the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, the current cross-strait relations seem to have returned to the origin of 22 years ago, as described by you when you were stationed in Taiwan as the" harsh winter "." The questions from ETtoday, a reporter from Taiwan's Dongsen New Media, combine the details in Chen Bin hua's writings with the current situation of cross-strait relations. ". The reporter asked, "With the end of the epidemic and the efforts of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to expand various exchanges, as well as the latest release of the" Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Road for Cross Strait Integration and Development and Building a Cross Strait Integration and Development Demonstration Zone, "can we interpret it as that both sides still do not give up seizing the arrival of a glimmer of spring?"?
When asked about his personal experience again, Chen Binhua's response remains profound. He said, "What I want to say is that all those who are concerned about Taiwan's future and support the peaceful development of cross-strait relations are deeply saddened by the significant reversal of history since the Democratic Progressive Party took office, which has led to a serious setback in cross-strait exchanges and exchanges. They are all concerned about the increasingly complex and severe situation in the Taiwan Strait."
"But when spring comes, who knows the cold heart of the year?" This is a poem that the late chairman of the Straits Foundation, Gu Zhenfu, liked to write during his lifetime. Chen Binhua said that this poem can reflect his personal current state of mind and express firm confidence: "No winter is insurmountable, no spring will not come. The foundation of cross-strait relations lies in the people, the driving force lies in the people, and the hope lies in the youth. We believe that as long as our compatriots on both sides join hands and work together, we can definitely push cross-strait relations to overcome difficulties, return to the correct track of peaceful development, and welcome another spring of cross-strait exchanges, cooperation, and development."
"There's nothing different, it's all about work."
After the one hour press conference, Chen Binhua stepped down from the podium to interact with reporters. Under the "encirclement" of cross-strait media, he summarized his "debut" as follows: "Today is definitely the morning with the highest workload. First of all, this is my first appearance, and second of all, everyone has been holding back for two months. I also tried my best to answer questions as briefly and clearly as possible."
As Chen Binhua himself said, he is an exceptionally steady and even overly calm spokesperson. When asked about the difference in mood transition from off stage to on stage, Chen Binhua bluntly said, "There's nothing different, it's all about work."
As for how much to score himself, Chen Binhua said, "I hope that my media colleagues and compatriots in the island will give me a score."
Chen Binhua's opening speech in Minnan dialect left a deep impression on the Taiwanese media reporters on site. In response to Taiwan reporters' questions about whether they will speak more Minnan dialect in the future press conference and get closer to Taiwanese villagers, Chen Binhua said, "I will definitely do it. I will communicate, exchange, and explain to them in a language that my Taiwanese compatriots are willing to listen to, understand, and can understand."
