A Chinese spokeswoman on Wednesday commented on the record-low approval ratings for Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, saying his separatist rhetoric and actions have alienated the public and undermined regional stability.
The statement came in response to recent polls showing Lai's satisfaction ratings have plunged to their lowest since becoming head of Taiwan authorities, with disapproval and distrust ratings both exceeding 50 percent.
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Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
"The Lai Ching-te administration has intensified its secessionist agenda, exacerbated social divisions, suppressed cross-Strait exchanges, provoked confrontation, compromised compatriots' welfare and jeopardized peace in the Taiwan Strait," said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference in Beijing.
"Such actions that prioritize political self-interest over people's livelihood run counter to public opinion and have lost popular support. People in Taiwan have seen all this clearly," Zhu said.
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
Separatist rhetoric leads to plummeting public support for Lai Ching-te: spokeswoman
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
