China Denounces Taiwan for Blocking Cross-Strait Cultural Exchanges

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on October 21, 2026, for obstructing cross-Strait cultural and commemorative activities. Spokesperson Zhang Han stated that the DPP authorities barred Taiwanese citizens from attending an event in mainland China marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth.

Zhang asserted that these restrictions demonstrate the DPP's intentions to "betray the nation and history" and pursue the splitting of the country. The spokesperson further denounced the Taiwan authorities for rejecting a visit application from mainland actor Zhang Linghe, describing the decision as politically motivated.

Addressing a separate controversy involving singer Jay Chou, who faced criticism from pro-DPP figures after liking a video identifying him as a "Chinese singer," Zhang maintained that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese.