Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, speaks at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China. File photo:Xinhua

Chinese mainland authority on Friday lambasted DPP authorities' negative attitude to Taiwan compatriots' call for help while trying to fabricate lies and scapegoat the mainland following reports of Taiwan residents being swindled to Cambodia and abused.

Taiwan compatriots are Chinese nationals, and it is our duty to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday. 

For a long time, we have always attached great importance to the welfare of overseas Taiwan compatriots, from providing consular document services, and assisting in handling civil disputes, economic and criminal cases where Taiwan compatriots are involved, to evacuating overseas Chinese in major emergencies, the motherland is their strong backup. Taiwan compatriots overseas can contact Chinese embassies and consulates abroad for help any time in difficulty, Ma said.

Recently there have been reports that Taiwan residents were swindled to Cambodia by "working opportunities" but found themselves stuck in illegal industries. Some are even confined and beaten. 

A victim shared her experience on the island's EBC News that she flew to Cambodia with two friends for clerical work but turned out to be a romance scammer and was only paid $800 for three months. 

When the woman sought to leave the fraud gang and called DPP authorities' external affairs department, the phone operator hung up on her after saying they do not handle such cases.

The woman was rescued by Interpol after her friends in Taiwan contacted the police.   

Ma slammed the DPP authorities who have a negative attitude toward Taiwan residents' calls for safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and even attempt to fabricate lies and blame the mainland.

Such deeds fully revealed that they do not take Taiwan residents' lives, safety, interests and well-being in mind, and only engage in political manipulation, inciting confrontation, and deceive the people — their usual trick, Ma noted.

Taiwan island's TVBS News, citing analysts, said the reasons why young people are being swindled abroad is the widening income gap, and especially the COVID-19 epidemic which has dealt a heavy blow to the local service sector. 

Youth without hope can easily become victims of fraud gangs. The DPP also has a very light penalty for telecom fraud which has prompted some people to take shelter in Cambodia to cheat their compatriots from Taiwan, according to Taiwan media reports. 

Global Times