MAC Criticizes Cross-Strait Contact Window for Chinese Citizens; Mainland Affairs Council: Common Practice Among Nations

(Central News Agency reporter Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, June 17) In response to the Chinese mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office criticizing the government's establishment of a 'contact window for Chinese citizens' and declaring it would 'resolutely counter' the move, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairperson Chiu Chui-cheng responded today that China maintains extremely high internal control, and such mechanisms have long been common practice among nations. The MAC has no comment.

Speaking to the media during a session at the Legislative Yuan's Interior Committee, Chiu Chui-cheng stated that China is an authoritarian state with highly repressive internal controls, making it difficult for information and technology to flow freely outside the country. He noted that agencies like the U.S. CIA have long encouraged mainland Chinese citizens to share information with the U.S. government. In response to authoritarian regimes, many countries open direct communication channels, and Taiwan's National Security Bureau is replicating this model.

Chiu emphasized that in mainland China's tightly controlled society, citizens often lack avenues to share thoughts or information abroad. Therefore, relevant agencies may establish appropriate channels to allow direct contact, a practice long established across nations. The MAC, he added, has no comment on the matter.

On June 14, Taiwan's National Security Bureau announced the establishment of a 'contact window for Chinese citizens' as an intelligence-gathering channel. In response, Chen Bin-hua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, strongly condemned the move and vowed 'resolute countermeasures.' He also warned that mainland citizens providing information to Taiwan's intelligence agencies would be committing a crime. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150617