The Chinese central government has once again called for more cooperation and communication between the mainland and Taiwan, including the resumption of normal transportation across the Taiwan Straits with pandemic prevention measures.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said that there should be a change to improve the situation.

"This is what people on both sides of the Straits want. However, the recent transportation regulations issued by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities include many restrictions for people from the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. This is no doubt a double standard."

The spokesperson called for an active response and said the mainland is making efforts to promote mutual understanding. "The people on both sides of the Straits are brothers and sisters with common interests. We always help and support each other when facing severe natural disasters and accidents," she said.

The spokesperson also slammed the visit by former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Taiwan on Tuesday, saying the Democratic Progressive Party should explain to people in Taiwan why taxpayers' money was spent on that.

Zhu Fenglian encouraged communication across the Straits, saying Beijing will continue to work towards peaceful reunification of Taiwan and the mainland.

"We are willing to further unite the Taiwan compatriots and actively find ways for peaceful reunification. And we believe that as time goes by, most of the Taiwan people will finally recognize the policy of 'One Country, Two Systems'," Zhu stressed.

(Cover: Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, speaks at a press conference in Beijing, September 28, 2022. /CGTN)