Top political advisor urges pooling strength of Chinese from home, abroad for Chinese modernization

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Monday urged the China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA) to shoulder more responsibilities and pool the wisdom and strength of Chinese people from home and abroad to advance Chinese modernization.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting of COFA executive directors in Beijing.

Noting the great successes both the Party and the country have made in the new era, Wang said these achievements could not be separated from the support and contributions of compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese.

With strong support from the motherland, the prospects for them to serve their motherland and pursue their dreams are very bright, Wang said.

He asked the COFA and its directors to make further suggestions and contributions for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, and enhance economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, as well as integrated development across the Taiwan Strait.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting, where he was re-elected head of the COFA.

Top political advisor urges pooling strength of Chinese from home, abroad for Chinese modernization

Top political advisor urges pooling strength of Chinese from home, abroad for Chinese modernization

Giant pandas at the Taipei Zoo are gifts from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan compatriots and certain Japanese politicians' remarks about Japanese zoos' panda exchange negotiations with the Taipei Zoo are absurd, said a spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

In response to a question regarding such remarks at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Peng Qing'en, the spokesman, said such claims by certain Japanese politicians are nothing but a pipe dream.

The claims from Japan came out as the panda lease agreement between China and Japan is about to expire, and the last two giant pandas in Japan will return to China in early 2026.

"Certain Japanese politicians' absurd remarks are nothing but a pipe dream. The giant pandas gifted to the Taiwan region are gifts from mainland compatriots to their Taiwan folks. They represent an important achievement in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and are deeply cherished by Taiwan compatriots, especially youngsters, bringing them joy and fond memories. As the national treasure, giant pandas deserve to be cherished by compatriots on both sides of the Strait. If Taiwan separatist forces dare to use giant pandas as a tribute to curry favor with Japan, they are bound to face the wrath of compatriots on both sides of the Strait," Peng said.

Spokesman on pandas gifted to Taiwan