People-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Strait jumped by 23.6 percent in 2025 year on year, despite continued obstruction by the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) authorities in Taiwan region, said Peng Qing'en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
"In 2025, despite the continued restrictive measures imposed by the DPP authorities, cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges increased significantly by 1.0445 million more visits than 2024, totaling 5.4495 million, a year-on-year increase of 23.6 percent. Among them, 4.8918 million were Taiwan residents visiting the mainland, an increase of 868,800 more visits, or 21.6 percent, year on year; while 557,700 were mainland residents visiting Taiwan, an increase of 175,700 visits, or 47.4 percent, year on year. Notably, among the Taiwan compatriots visiting the mainland, 306,900 were first-time visitors, a year-on-year increase of 34.6 percent, of whome1.684 million were youth, accounting for 34.4 percent," said Peng.
"Although the DPP authorities were bent on obstructing and restricting cross-Strait exchanges, the people-to-people exchanges across the Strait still reached a considerable scale in 2025, with cooperation in various fields remaining active. We sincerely welcome more and more compatriots from Taiwan to come to the mainland for a visit, appreciating the magnificent landscapes of our motherland, and feeling for the vibrant economic and social development of the mainland," said Peng.
Cross-strait personnel exchanges up 23.5 pct in 2025
Cross-strait personnel exchanges up 23.5 pct in 2025
Cross-strait personnel exchanges up 23.5 pct in 2025
As Portugal's presidential race enters a runoff, voters are voicing frustration over housing, wages, healthcare, and education.
On Sunday, Portugal launched the first major election of Europe's 2026 political calendar. Voters on the streets of Lisbon were focused more on day-to-day issues.
"The issue I carry the most when I'm casting the vote is about our housing prices, because we are having a major crisis. Even for young people, it's really hard to buy our first house. And even renting, the prices in Lisbon are collapsing, even outside, even the outskirts are collapsing. And about our healthcare national system, because it's also collapsing. It's a very complicated issue. And I'm a teacher and when I cast my vote, I need to think about my profession and my future colleagues as well," said Maria.
"I'm concerned about things such as education in Portugal, the healthcare in Portugal, the wages which are pretty low compared to other countries in Europe. Basically for me those are the key points - education, health and wages. And right now, also the cost of living in Portugal is pretty high," said Juan.
Portugal's presidential election will proceed to a second round, with Antonio Jose Seguro leading the first round with 30.69 percent of the votes, according to data released by the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration.
Chega party leader Andre Ventura placed second with 26.97 percent of the vote, followed by Luis Marques Mendes of the center-right Social Democratic Party in third place, with 14.82 percent.
The move to a runoff marks the first time in 40 years that a Portuguese presidential election has required a runoff between the two leading candidates.
The runoff vote is scheduled for Feb. 8, with the winner to be determined by a simple majority.
Portuguese voters prioritize housing, wages, healthcare as presidential race heads to runoff
