Source: Xinhuanet
On September 28, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, invited reporters to ask questions. On the same day, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council held a regular press conference in Beijing. Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yehua photo
Xinhua News Agency Beijing, September 28 (Reporters Shi Longhong, Liu Huan, Chen Shu) Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said at a regular press conference on the 28th that General Secretary Xi Jinping is highly concerned about the major natural disasters and emergencies that occur on the island, and is very concerned about the safety of lives and property of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are brothers of flesh and blood that are thicker than water, and are a community with a shared future. In the face of major natural disasters and emergencies, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share weal and woe, watch over each other and help each other.
A few days ago, magnitude 6.5 and 6.9 earthquakes occurred in Taitung and Hualien, Taiwan, and the spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council expressed his condolences. Previously, an earthquake occurred in Luding, Sichuan, and all walks of life in Taiwan also expressed condolences and assistance in a timely manner. A reporter asked how to view the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in watching over each other and overcoming difficulties together, and what efforts have the mainland made on this? Zhu Fenglian made the above response when answering the question.
She said that after the Taiwan Revival Airlines air crash in July 2014, the Kaohsiung City gas explosion in August 2014, the 6.7-magnitude earthquake in southern Taiwan in February 2016, and the "Taroko" train derailment accident in April 2021, relevant departments in mainland China actively organized donations. When major natural disasters occur in mainland China, Taiwanese compatriots also actively provide help. After a strong earthquake occurred in Lushan County, Sichuan Province in April 2013 and Luding County, Sichuan Province in September 2022, all sectors of Taiwan society continued to pay attention, generously donated money and materials. Ships on both sides of the Taiwan Strait encountered dangers in production operations in , Taiwan Strait or surrounding waters. Ships passing by on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and maritime search and rescue agencies actively participated in the rescue and made every effort to search and rescue.
"We have always attached great importance to and acted positively for the safety and legitimate rights and interests of compatriots overseas." Zhu Fenglian said that from providing consular certificate services, assisting in handling foreign civil disputes and economic and criminal cases involving Taiwan, to evacuating overseas Chinese in major emergencies, we have provided timely assistance. Any difficulties encountered by Taiwanese compatriots abroad can contact the Chinese embassy and consulate abroad for help in time.
She said that in the past three years of the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, we have practiced the concept of "one family on both sides of the Taiwan Strait", effectively safeguard the health and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots, and do our best to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control in Taiwan. We will continue to inform Taiwan's disease control department of epidemic information and share technical information, and assist thousands of Taiwanese compatriots stranded in Hubei to return home as soon as possible. Actively and orderly arrange for free vaccination in mainland China. As of August 31, 198,000 Taiwanese compatriots in mainland China have been vaccinated, with a total of 470,000 doses being administered. A series of policies and measures have been introduced to assist Taiwanese-funded enterprises in various places to resume work and production. When vaccines and antigen detection reagents are in serious shortage on the island, relevant parties in mainland China and all sectors of society expressed their concerns as soon as possible and actively provided assistance. Mainland enterprises and non-governmental organizations donate to Taiwanese compatriots and provide a large number of vaccines, testing reagents and urgently needed medical equipment.
"Facts have proved that the more difficult times and in times of crisis, the deep friendship of 'one family on both sides of the Taiwan Strait' can bring hope and comfort to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and the courage and strength to work together to overcome difficulties." Zhu Fenglian said.
[Editor in charge: Shi Ge]
Source: Xinhuanet
