Mainland slams DPP for blocking platform aimed at Taiwan youth

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities' move to block access to "Taiwan youth e-home", a mainland-launched public service platform for Taiwan youth, was criticized by the Chinese mainland as an attempt to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges and deprive young people on the island of development opportunities.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks on Friday in response to allegations by the DPP authorities that the platform posed risks of personal information leaks and was a means of conducting "public opinion warfare" and "psychological warfare" against Taiwan.

Chen said "Taiwan youth e-home" is a public welfare-oriented comprehensive service platform designed to meet Taiwan youths' needs for exchanges and development on the mainland.

Launched on July 15, the platform provides a range of information and services related to exchanges, study, internships and employment opportunities for young people from Taiwan. It has received recognition and positive feedback from Taiwan people, especially young people on the island, Chen said.

Chen criticized the DPP authorities for ignoring Taiwan youths' desire and need for exchanges and development by blocking the platform, saying their accusations against it were merely "Taiwan independence" rhetoric.

He added that the DPP authorities' move to block the platform had instead shown that "Taiwan youth e-home" meets the needs of Taiwan youths and exposed their concerns.

"The DPP authorities can block websites and restrict access, but they cannot stop Taiwan youths from seeking opportunities and pursuing development, nor can they shut the door of 'home' that 'Taiwan youth e-home' has opened in the hearts of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

He reiterated that the mainland would continue to uphold the concept that "people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one family" and create better conditions and provide greater convenience for Taiwan youths to pursue their dreams on the mainland.