Photo: From the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

 
When asked about the claims by “Mainland Affairs Council” that the Chinese mainland is using the opportunity to shape the image of a "protector of the people on the island of Taiwan,” after the Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a notice for the registration of Chinese citizens for evacuation, including Taiwanese compatriots holding the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that following the outbreak of the Iran-Israel conflict, relevant departments and Chinese embassies and consulates in Iran and Israel immediately activated emergency consular protection mechanisms, urging the two countries to effectively safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens, including Taiwan compatriots. 

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are all Chinese, Zhu said. We have always attached great importance to safeguarding the safety and legitimate rights and interests of our Taiwan compatriots overseas. Whether it involves providing consular documentation services, assisting in handling foreign-related civil disputes or economic and criminal cases involving Taiwan residents, or responding to natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes, or emergency evacuations during conflicts, we have always reached out to local Taiwan compatriots at the first opportunity to provide necessary assistance.

At present, some Taiwan compatriotshave been safely evacuated to neighboring countries, according to Zhu. The mainland will continue to make every effort to assist all Chinese citizens, including Taiwan compatriots, in relocation and evacuation. Those in need may contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in their area at any time or call the 12308 consular protection hotline, Zhu noted.

Global Times