China Defends New Travel Rules Amid DPP Criticism

Spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office defended new mainland exit and entry administration regulations scheduled to take effect on September 15. During a press conference on August 19, Zhu dismissed claims from Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council that the rules pose risks to Taiwan residents, asserting instead that the regulation aims to standardize administration and safeguard national security.

Zhu accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of acting as a stumbling block to cross-Strait ties by spreading rumors and warning technology sector residents about purported risks. She cited a 24.9 percent year-on-year increase in visits by Taiwan residents to the mainland during the first half of the year as evidence that these obstruction efforts are failing.

Beyond travel regulations, Zhu condemned the DPP for smearing a mainland public service platform for Taiwanese youth and blocking mainland products. She specifically highlighted the seizure of a motorcycle assembled in Taiwan using ZXMOTO parts as evidence of a hostile business environment. While ZXMOTO founder Zhang Xue expressed interest in opening a store in Taiwan, current regulations prohibit the import of complete heavy motorcycles and engines from the mainland, and DPP authorities have publicly opposed the proposal.