A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday rebuked Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for claiming that Taiwan businessmen in the mainland are being "semi-forced" to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

"It should be emphasized that vaccination in the mainland is carried out entirely on the premise of voluntary application and informed consent. The so-called 'semi-forced' inoculation claim made by some politicians and media outlets in the island is totally malicious disinformation," said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

An informed consent form is required for all vaccinations, and every Taiwan compatriot who receives the vaccination will fill in the form to express their personal wishes beforehand, Zhu stressed.

Noting that the vaccination campaign is being carried out in an orderly manner across the mainland, the spokesperson said proper arrangements will be made for all eligible people, including Taiwan compatriots.

Since Beijing started administering COVID-19 vaccines among key groups with higher infection risks on January 1, over 1.9 million people have received the first shot, she said.

The Taiwan affairs office of the Beijing municipal government is coordinating with the city's association of Taiwan-funded enterprises to arrange for the voluntary vaccination of Taiwan businessmen who are eligible in Beijing, Zhu added.

"Many Taiwan compatriots interviewed expressed confidence in the mainland's vaccine and are willing to receive it as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

From December 15 to January 20, the mainland administered at least 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to people deemed high-risk for infection, Zhu said, adding that more than 40 countries have made requests for Chinese vaccines and some have already approved their emergency use.

"All this has fully proven the safety of the vaccine developed by the mainland," Zhu stressed.

(Cover: People are inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Honglian Community in Xicheng District, Beijing, capital of China, January 3, 2021. /Xinhua)