The Chinese mainland is ready to help Taiwan compatriots including those who were recently trapped by scams in some Southeast Asian countries, Chen Yuanfeng, deputy director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said on Thursday.

Overseas Taiwan compatriots can contact and seek help from Chinese embassies and consulates when they encounter difficulties, a spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office said last week.

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a query concerning media reports that some people in China's Taiwan were lured to work in Cambodia where they suffered imprisonment and physical abuse.

On Thursday, Chen reiterates the Chinese mainland's position during a meeting with Andrew Hsia, visiting vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party, in Shanghai.

The Chinese mainland has always attached great importance to safeguarding and promoting the interests and well-being of the compatriots in Taiwan, protecting and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots studying, working and living in the mainland in accordance with the law, Chen said.

Both sides agreed that the Communist Party of China and the KMT should strengthen exchanges and communication, consolidate and enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and make joint efforts to promote the forward development of cross-strait relations and relations between the two parties.

Both sides exchanged views on topics such as the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots and the cross-strait exchanges between young entrepreneurs as well as young students.

Chen stressed that the cause of the current tense situation in the Taiwan Straits is the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' continuous seeking of "Taiwan independence" and provocations, and the intensification of external forces' efforts to use Taiwan to contain China. The countermeasures China has taken are legitimate and just, he added.

Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits also met with Hsia on August 24.  

(Cover: Night view of Taipei, China's Taiwan region. /CFP)