The Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council on Wednesday denounced Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' efforts to obstruct cross-strait family visits through tightening traveling restrictions.

During a routine press conference, a CCTV reporter raised question regarding DPP's recent attempt to amend "Permit Measures for Civil Servants and Specified Personnel of the Taiwan Area Entering the Mainland," further restricting personal traveling for county officials and certain public servants.  

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, condemned the proposed amendment as "another nefarious act by the DPP authorities to hinder and harass cross-strait communication."

Zhu criticized the DPP's efforts to stop Taiwan compatriots from traveling to the Chinese mainland and its suppression of Taiwan entities actively promoting cross-strait communication.  

She emphasized that the DDP's attempt to abuse power to jeopardize cross-strait kinship is bound to face public scorn.

Under the new mainland travel restrictions, the eligibility criteria for visiting Chinese mainland for family reunions or funerals will be affected; relatives considered eligible will be reduced from "within the fourth degree of kinship" to "within the third degree."  

The change will also require high-ranking civil workers and police officials in Taiwan to submit travel applications seven days prior to their trips to the Chinese mainland.