Zhu Fenglian Photo: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

Chinese mainland authorities conduct law-abiding investigations into all companies in an equal and fair manner, which is a normal law enforcement action, and the mainland's stance of respecting, caring for, and benefiting Taiwan compatriots will not change, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday, refuting hype over an investigation into Foxconn subsidiaries in the mainland. 

Chinese mainland tax authorities have conducted tax inspections covering key enterprises under Foxconn in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, among other places, in accordance with the law. The country's natural resources department has also conducted on-site investigation into the land use of key enterprises of Foxconn in Henan and Hubei provinces, the Global Times has learned exclusively from sources on Sunday. 

Foxconn is a Taiwan-headquartered company known globally for manufacturing Apple products including iPhones. After the report on the investigation, Foxconn's shares, trading in Taiwan island, at one point fell by 3.0 percent on Monday, and on Wednesday, Foxconn Industrial Internet Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Foxconn which is trading on the Chinese mainland A-share market, plunged to 13.54 yuan per share. 

In response to speculation linking investigations over Foxconn to the company's founder Terry Gou, who is running as a candidate in the 2024 elections of Taiwan's regional leader, Zhu said at a press conference that the investigations into Foxconn's companies in the mainland are normal law enforcement actions and the mainland will continue to support Taiwan businesses and enterprises in investing and developing in the mainland

While enterprises from the island of Taiwan share the dividends of growth and achieve substantial development in the mainland, they should also bear corresponding social responsibilities and play an active role in promoting peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Zhu said. 

At the Wednesday press conference, Zhu also reiterated opposition to "Taiwan independence," saying that peace, development, communication, and cooperation are the mainstream public opinion in the island of Taiwan. 

"Currently, cross-Straits relations are at a critical juncture, and the island is facing a crucial choice between peace and war, prosperity and decline. We hope that Taiwan compatriots, from the perspective of safeguarding their own security and well-being, resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence' and make rational choices," said Zhu.

The spokesperson also criticized Lai Ching-te, the Taiwan secessionist Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for the 2024 regional elections and also the deputy regional leader of Taiwan island for his latest remarks on "Taiwan independence." 

Zhu said that it is shameless for Lai to engage in "Taiwan independence" activities while pretending to advocate for peace. Lai is trying to achieve independence through force and dependence on foreign powers for independence while boasting cross-Straits dialogue and cooperation, which is completely deceptive.

The cruelty of war highlights the value of peace. DPP authorities disregard public opinion in Taiwan, persistently adhere to the "Taiwan independence" stance, continue to collude with external forces to pursue independence, and increase the risks of tension and turmoil in the Taiwan Straits, which is extremely dangerous and irresponsible, Zhu said. 

"Taiwan independence" means war, Zhu said, noting that "we hope that Taiwan compatriots will cherish peace in the Taiwan Straits as they cherish their own eyes, and oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism as they oppose war, and work together with compatriots on the mainland to promote the return of cross-Straits relations to the track of peaceful development." 

Global Times