The Twin-City Forum was held in Shanghai on the 28th. Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said in his speech that he welcomes “Taiwanese compatriots” to personally experience the affection and warmth of “both sides of the strait as one family.” On the same day, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) responded to these remarks, saying that if one wants to talk about being “one family,” then there should be no verbal attacks or military intimidation.
According to Central News Agency, during his speech, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said that “compatriots on both sides of the strait” are blood-related and share a common destiny; frequent exchange visits and closer ties are “the common wish of compatriots from both sides of the strait.” He welcomed “Taiwanese compatriots” to personally experience the familial warmth and affection of “both sides of the strait as one family.” Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said in his speech that he hopes that in the near future, when people talk about the Taiwan Strait, they will no longer think of roaring winds and waves, but instead of prosperity and peace.
Some media asked the Taiwanese Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) for their views on the related political language and on Gong Zheng’s mention of the “blood-bond” of the two sides of the strait, and whether this aligns with the purpose of municipal exchanges.
The MAC stated, “If one wants to talk about being one family, there should be mutual respect; there should be no military harassment or verbal intimidation against Taiwan.”