Taiwan celebrities show support for reunification

Taiwan entertainers forwarding a poster on social media to express their support for the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait reflects their genuine recognition of their Chinese identity, a Chinese mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Many Taiwan celebrities, including actress Ouyang Nana, recently forwarded the poster, first uploaded by China Central Television last week, which said that Taiwan's reunification with the mainland is unstoppable.

The new "leader" of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, blatantly advocated "Taiwan independence" in his "inaugural address "this month.

Many entertainers from Taiwan also used "we" on many occasions to express their stance on the Taiwan question. Ashin, lead singer of Taiwan rock band Mayday, said during a concert in Beijing last week, "We Chinese, when we come to Beijing, we must eat Peking duck."

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference in Beijing that in recent days, nearly 100 Taiwan celebrities have expressed their views on cross-Strait relations and affirmed their identity as Chinese descendants through various means.

Some have reposted the reunification poster, which has garnered over 1.8 billion views on Weibo and has been reposted over 17 million times, Zhu said.

"Some entertainers have shared stories learned from their elders about their mainland ancestral origins, while others have expressed the desire for increased exchanges as both sides are part of the Chinese nation," she said, adding that "these expressions are genuine and heartfelt".

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities on the island have accused the mainland of pressuring the artists to make such statements. Lai urged people to be understanding of the artists and forgive them.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, said, "People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese, and when is it a matter that needs to be forgiven to call ourselves Chinese?"

Both sides have the traditions of respecting their ancestors, worshipping Mazu, a sea goddess, and Guan Gong, a legendary figure, and both sides belong to the Chinese nation, he said, asking "What's wrong with artists like Mayday saying this?"

Zhu, the spokeswoman, condemned Lai and the DPP for exploiting the situation for political gain, exacerbating cross-Strait tensions, and unfairly claiming the artists had been making "forced statements".

It demonstrated the fear of the DPP authorities about closer ties between people on both sides, and they disregarded and even suppressed mainstream desires for peace, development, exchange and cooperation, she said.

It also suggested that the DPP government is intensifying efforts to stifle the voices of Taiwan residents, she added.

Zhu said the mainland actively supports Taiwan artists participating in various cultural events, and welcomes people from Taiwan to enjoy performances on the mainland.