Chen Yu-chen Invites Zhang Linghe to Visit Kinmen; MAC States It Will Assess Cross-Strait Interaction

The Straits Forum was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province on June 13. On June 15, Kuomintang legislator Chen Yu-chen posted on Facebook that during the forum, she invited Zhang Linghe, lead actor of the Chinese drama 'Chasing Jade,' to visit Kinmen. In response, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that the government will assess the cross-strait interaction situation and handle the matter according to procedure.

Chen shared a photo with Zhang on her Facebook page, expressing her sincere invitation for him to experience Kinmen's unique cultural atmosphere and tourism appeal firsthand. She hopes that celebrity influence can enhance Kinmen's visibility, encouraging more people to get to know and visit the island, thereby boosting tourism and local economic development.

During this year's Straits Forum in Xiamen, Zhang Linghe stated that cultural power connects the hearts of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and expressed hope for greater cooperation in the film and television industries. He emphasized, 'The distance across the strait cannot stop compatriots from drawing closer,' and called on more Taiwanese to visit the mainland, contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Regarding Chen's invitation, the MAC responded that individual cross-strait exchange cases are evaluated based on the overall interaction situation and processed accordingly.

This year, the Taiwanese government has heightened its restrictions on the Straits Forum, prohibiting local governments from participating. Chen criticized these measures as limiting cross-strait exchanges and claimed, 'We can also conduct united front activities against them (the Chinese Communist Party).'

In response, MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh challenged her to demonstrate tangible results of such united front efforts.