CRI听力:Taiwan authorities should respect people's choice: mainland spokesperson

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, says Professor Lu Li-an's decision to become a member of the Communist Party of China was voluntary, adding that her love for her home region and country should be acknowledged.

"She was recently interviewed as a representative to the 19th CPC National Congress. She said she's proud to be born in Taiwan and she's proud to be a Chinese. She also appealed to Taiwan people to join the effort of national reunion. She also said the gap between hearts and misunderstandings can be resolved. Her words resonated with people. Whatever actions Taiwan authorities take, her love for her home region and the motherland is acknowledged. The mainland and Taiwan remain her home, even without her household registration in Taiwan."

Lu Li-an, an English literature professor from Fudan University who was born and raised in Taiwan, was deprived of her residential status in Taiwan by local authorities, after she attended the CPC National Congress as a CPC member in October.

Following Lu Li-an, some other Taiwan scholars recently also expressed their willingness to join the CPC, while some young Taiwan people also said more people may want to join the party, should there be chances to learn more about the party.

In response, Taiwan authorities have said that the students will be fined if they joined the CPC.

Ma Xiaoguang urges the Taiwan authorities to respect people's choices.

"Those Taiwan people who work, study, and live on the mainland acknowledge and respect the work of the CPC, after witnessing the great changes taking place here. I think this is a natural phenomenon. As to Taiwan authorities, I think they should put a halt to their hostile attitude and respect people's choice."

A report to the 19th CPC National Congress, made by the party's General Secretary Xi Jinping, stressed the provision of equal treatment to Taiwan people on the mainland.

According to Ma Xiaoguang, more favorable policies towards Taiwan people on the mainland are to be rolled out.

"Next, we will adopt additional policies and measures to provide more equal treatment to Taiwan people who study, run businesses, work, and live on the mainland, in an attempt to facilitate cross-Straits socioeconomic development as well as to improve the wellbeing of Taiwan people."

Some opposing voices from Taiwan have raised questions about these policies.

Ma Xiaoguang has responded, saying that the measures aim to suit the needs of Taiwan people to facilitate national reunification.

He has also called on Taiwan authorities to take concrete actions to improve relations across the Straits.

"Since a change of the political landscape took place in Taiwan last year, the Democratic Progressive Party has hindered the progress of cross-Straits relations by breaking its political foundation, namely the 1992 Consensus. Only by removing the hindrance, can we put our relations back onto a normal track."

For CRI, I'm Guan Chao.