U.S. stocks close lower

U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 25.86 points, or 0.05 percent, to 49,141.93. The S and P 500 sank 35.11 points, or 0.49 percent, to 7,138.8. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 223.3 points, or 0.9 percent, to 24,663.8.

Six of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in green, with energy and consumer staples leading the gainers by rising 1.65 percent and 0.99 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, technology and materials led the laggards by dropping 1.29 percent and 1.07 percent, respectively.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Wednesday condemned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for considering a ban on the use of mainland technology and products simply because they are effective and popular, calling this stance "absurd and ridiculous."

Chen's remarks came in response to comments from DPP members suggesting that the Chinese mainland's popular navigation app Amap might be prohibited and that the public should be advised against using it if so-called security concerns arise.

"The mainland has world-leading digital mapping, navigation, and location service technologies. Many of these applications have been widely used on the mainland and in some other countries and regions for years, meeting people's practical needs, making travel more time-efficient and convenient, and enriching their daily life. This is a concrete example of how technological development benefits humanity. In addition to Amap, the mainland also boasts many advanced technologies and high-quality innovative products. People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are of one family and we are willing to let our Taiwan compatriots be the first to share in these benefits," Chen said at a press conference in Beijing.

"However, the DPP authorities, in their pursuit of Taiwan secession, have become so opposed to the mainland that their stance has turned anti-intellectual and anti-technology. Nearly 10 years into the DPP governance, Taiwan has witnessed a troubling phenomenon of ideological constraint and speech repression, epitomized by an inability to say no to the U.S. or to acknowledge the strengths of the mainland. Simply because mainland technologies and products are effective and popular among the people of Taiwan, the DPP authorities seek to prohibit or hinder their choice of the products. This reflects a jittery with imaginary fear, which is absurd and ridiculous. Such moves find little support and will not succeed," Chen said.