Strengthening trade bonds benefits people across Taiwan Strait: Spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that strengthening economic cooperation and advancing integrated development serve the common interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait.

Peng Qing'en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to cross-Strait trade performance in 2025.

The total trade volume across the Strait hit 314.3 billion U.S. dollars, with exports from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan climbing 11.2 percent and imports from Taiwan increasing by 6 percent.

In 2025, despite restrictive measures imposed by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, cross-Strait personnel exchanges approached 5.45 million visits, up 23.6 percent year on year, Peng said.

Among them, Taiwan residents made 4.89 million visits to the mainland, a 21.6 percent annual uptick. Notably, 306,900 of these visitors were first-timers to the mainland, and young people accounted for over 1.68 million visits, he added.

Peng further noted that, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the cross-Strait economic cooperation and integrated development will rise to a higher level, bringing greater benefits to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.