The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday condemned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for rejecting popular Chinese actor Zhang Linghe's application to visit the island for cultural exchange activities, including a fan meeting.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the office, said visits by Chinese mainland performers for cultural exchanges were welcomed and anticipated by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and would help foster mutual understanding.

Zhang Han noted that the DPP authorities had rejected the application for political reasons, disregarding the wishes of people in Taiwan, particularly young people. Such restrictions undermine cross-Strait cultural exchanges and run counter to the aspirations of people in Taiwan, she added.

The spokesperson urged the DPP authorities to abandon political manipulation and remove unreasonable restrictions to facilitate cultural exchanges.

In recent years, the DPP authorities have repeatedly taken measures to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges and people-to-people interactions.

Recently, it announced a ban on relevant Taiwan residents participating in mainland-organized commemorative activities marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, a renowned Chinese revolutionary and statesman.

Meanwhile, some DPP supporters have criticized and stirred controversy over famous singer Jay Chou's recent sharing and liking of a social media video, in which a host referred to him as a Chinese singer.

The DPP authorities also continue to maintain an "orange" travel advisory for trips to the Chinese mainland and have repeatedly warned Taiwan residents of purported risks associated with visiting the Chinese mainland.

Zhang Han criticized the DPP authorities for using various means to restrict cross-Strait exchanges and intimidate and suppress Taiwan residents. Such actions, she said, expose the authorities' intent to undermine national unity and heighten confrontation across the Taiwan Strait, adding that they would face opposition from all Chinese people.

Zhang Han also cited data showing that visits by Taiwan residents to the mainland increased 24.9% year on year in the first half of 2026.

"The facts clearly show that the DPP authorities' attempts to obstruct Taiwan residents from visiting the Chinese mainland are absurd and futile," she said, urging the DPP to address the concerns of local businesses and residents and stop deliberately obstructing cross-Strait exchanges.