Spokesperson warns of cultural de-sinicization in Taiwan

BEIJING  -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson has warned compatriots across the Taiwan Strait to be vigilant against de-sinicization and "Taiwan independence" activities in the island's cultural sector.

The comments, by State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (SCTAO) spokesperson An Fengshan, were made at a press conference in response to a question about a Taiwan politician who had allegedly asked to remove changes in Taiwan history textbooks that have been made to remind the historical connection between Taiwan and the mainland.

Taiwan's education authority last year changed the wording of some textbooks to better reflect history, altering "Japanese governance" to "Japanese colonization" and "[Chinese] takeover of Taiwan" to "the recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan." The pro-independence Democratic Progress Party and some student fractions, however, objected to the changes.

An said that cultural and education exchanges between the two sides of the Strait had seen positive development in recent years and that he hoped this could continue.

"Compatriots across the Strait must be highly vigilant in the face of attempts to cut links between the mainland and Taiwan, and reject de-sinicization and 'Taiwan independence' in the culture and education sectors," he said.

A Chinese dictionary, jointly complied by the mainland and Taiwan, has been published in Taiwan recently and will hit the mainland market in July, An said.

He added that the SCTAO will likely create social media accounts to promote cross-Strait exchanges.

Also, he expressed concern over an incident earlier this week, which saw Japan seize a Taiwan fishing boat and its crew. An said it is the common responsibility of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to protect the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen from both the mainland and Taiwan.