Mainland rejects DPP claims on youth service platform as groundless smears

A spokesman from the Chinese mainland on Wednesday rejected claims by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities that the mainland's "Taiwan youth e-home" service platform was intended to "rope in young people from Taiwan and collect their personal information".

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, described the accusations as "groundless remarks and deliberate smears" at a regular news conference.

"The more the DPP authorities fabricate rumors and hype up so-called risks, the more it proves that 'Taiwan youth e-home' meets the needs of Taiwan youth and has touched a sensitive point for the DPP," Chen said.

"Taiwan youth e-home" is a public service platform designed for young people from Taiwan. It aims to build a convenient digital channel to address information gaps in exchanges, education, internships, and employment opportunities for Taiwan youth on the mainland, according to Chen.

Launched on July 15 on the China Taiwan Net, the platform currently has nearly 2,000 companies registered, offering nearly 6,000 job positions. The platform seeks to improve information services and make it easier for youth in Taiwan to pursue their dreams and development opportunities on the mainland, Chen added.

Shen Yu-chung, deputy head of the "mainland affairs council" in Taiwan, recently said the platform's stated purpose of serving Taiwan youth was, in fact, intended to "advance a united front agenda and collect their personal information".

Chen responded that the platform follows the principle of collecting only the minimum necessary information and strictly protects job seekers' data in accordance with the law. Taiwan youth using the platform "do not need to have any concerns", he said.

He added that Taiwan youth have the freedom to choose where to develop their careers, and they will naturally go where there are more opportunities and greater space for growth. "Young people in Taiwan will be able to distinguish right from wrong and make their own choices," Chen said, adding that the mainland welcomes Taiwan youth to use the platform and will continue improving its functions to provide more convenience and support for their development on the mainland.