Taiwan media group reiterates stand on one China

Want Want China Times Group, a prominent media group from Taiwan, reiterated on Monday that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, after Taiwan authorities condemned the group's remarks on cross-Strait relations.

The media group issued a statement on Monday, responding to the island authorities, saying that according to laws and regulations, Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China and Taiwan people are Chinese, which is always the group's stance. It also called for more efforts to work for cross-Strait peace and Taiwan's future.

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan on Sunday accused the group of collaborating with the Chinese mainland to promote reunification, which it deemed as a "serious threat" to Taiwan's interests. The DPP said it would investigate whether it violated related regulations in Taiwan.

The DPP's announcement of an investigation came after Want Want Holdings general manager Tsai Wang-ting's remarks at the second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit held in Beijing last week, which brought together over 800 cultural representatives from both sides.

"We, as Chinese, should never forget our roots, history, culture," Tsai said at the forum on Wednesday. Tsai also highlighted that Want Want originated in Taiwan, and has expanded its operations in the mainland. Want Want China, known for its snacks and as the largest producer of rice cakes in the mainland, acquired Taiwan's media firm China Times Group in 2008.

The Cross-Strait Peace Development Forum, a platform comprising individuals and social groups from the island, issued a statement on Sunday to express its support for the group and condemn the political suppression by the DPP on cross-Strait cultural exchanges, labeling it as a "political maneuver".

The media group's remark that both sides of the Strait belong to one China is entirely legal, and it represents a rational voice from the media amidst the current social turmoil, deserving of support and recognition rather than being suppressed, according to the statement.