In this undated file photo, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, takes a question during a press conference in Beijing, China. (CHEN YEHUA / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland's policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged in the wake of the island's recent elections, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

"The elections will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a news briefing.

The elections (in Taiwan) will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China

 Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

Ma made the remarks in response to questions about the impact of the Democratic Progressive Party's continued administration and Tsai Ing-wen's re-election on cross-Straits relations and the mainland's Taiwan policy.

"We will continue to uphold the basic principles of 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems,' and adhere to the one-China principle," said Ma.

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The mainland will also continue to unite Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of the motherland, said Ma.

By adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, cross-Straits relations will be improved and developed, and the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots will be safeguarded and enhanced, Ma said.

He stressed that the mainland is willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will never leave any space for any form of separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence."

We will continue to uphold the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," and adhere to the one-China principle

 Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

"We will never allow anyone, any organization, or any political party, at any time or in any form, to separate any part of Chinese territory from China," Ma said.

One or two elections in Taiwan will not determine the direction and future of an issue forever, said Ma.

Over the past 40 years, the cross-Straits relations have continued to move forward amid difficulties and twists and turns. "We are confident in our ability to overcome any difficulties and challenges we encounter," Ma added.

So-called anti-infiltration act ‘malicious’

Ma also said the so-called anti-infiltration act restrains the free will of Taiwan compatriots and deprives them of the right to engage in cross-Straits exchanges.

It is a downright evil act, said Ma. Taiwan's legislature passed the so-called anti-infiltration act on Dec 31, 2019.  

"The act may cause harm for a while, but cannot stop compatriots on both sides from advancing exchanges, cooperation and development," said Ma.

Cross-Straits exchanges to continue in 2020

The Chinese mainland will continuously promote cross-Straits exchanges in various fields, seek positive outcomes and solve difficulties of Taiwan compatriots in 2020, Ma said.

Noting that the personnel exchanges across the Taiwan Straits remained stable at around 9 million last year, Ma said Taiwan compatriots' expectations for strengthening cross-Straits exchanges stood in strong contrast with the restrictions imposed by the Democratic Progressive Party authority.

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Ma said the mainland is willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will never leave any space for any form of separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence"

The mainland authorities issued new policies last year, known as the "26 measures," to provide more convenience for Taiwan compatriots to study, work and live on the mainland, said Ma.

The trade volume across the Straits reached US$207.06 billion in the first 11 months last year, Ma said, adding that the mainland approved 4,765 Taiwanese investment projects in the same period, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.9 percent.

Ma also said the mainland's actual use of investment from Taiwan reached US$1.52 billion in the first 11 months last year, up 26.8 percent from the year before, and the investment extended from manufacturing to the service industry.  

Never give up on youth in Taiwan

The Chinese mainland will never give up on the young people in Taiwan, Ma said.

The mainland will continue to promote cross-Straits communication and carry out policies to enhance mutual understanding between the young people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, said Ma.

"Guided by the conviction that we are all of the same family, the mainland has rolled out a series of policies to provide Taiwan compatriots, especially young people, with equal treatment and development opportunities on the mainland," Ma noted.

These policies have proved effective as more and more young people in Taiwan have come to the mainland to study, work and start up businesses in recent years, he added.

Ma made the remarks when asked about the mainland's future policy toward youth in Taiwan.