A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said the new leader of the Taiwan region must seriously face the question and make a clear choice between peaceful development and confrontation across the Taiwan Straits.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a question about the possible mention of cross-Straits relations in Lai Ching-te's upcoming inauguration speech.

Chen said mainstream public opinion on the island is in favor of peace, not war, development, not decline, communication rather than separation, and cooperation instead of confrontation.

Whether to follow the will of the people and take the path of peaceful development, or to go against popular will and engage in provocation and confrontation, is a question that not only matters to the interests and well-being of the compatriots of Taiwan but also the development of Taiwan as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Chen said.

"This is a question that the new leader of Taiwan must seriously face and give a clear answer to," Chen said.

Noting that "Taiwan independence" and cross-Straits peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water, Chen said, "we always adhere to the one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus,' firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and interference from external forces."

He added that the mainland will continue to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two sides of the Straits, deepen the integrated development of the two sides, and firmly promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and the cause of national reunification.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, attends a press conference in Beijing, September 13, 2023. /Xinhua)