China widely recognized as one of the safest countries in the world: public security official

China, which has maintained one of the lowest incidences of fatal criminal cases, the lowest rates of criminal offenses, and the fewest cases involving firearms and explosives, is widely recognized as one of the safest countries in the world, a senior Chinese public security official said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Qi Yanjun, vice minister of public security, made the remarks at the conference. He said that public security organs have helped facilitate China's high-quality development by resolutely safeguarding public safety, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Also, Chinese police handled 1.739 million telecom fraud cases and arrested 366,000 suspects, including 3,442 major financiers and core members of the crime groups, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), senior police officer Jiang Guoli said at the press conference, Xinhua reported.

Public security organs have arrested 366,000 suspects, including 3,442 key figures in fraud syndicates, through special operations. These campaigns targeted criminal networks providing illegal services - such as online traffic promotion, money laundering, tech support, and human smuggling - for overseas fraud groups, a report by CCTV News said.

China has also continuously deepened international law enforcement cooperation and has sent specialized teams to countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines to carry out police cooperation, according to the conference, CCTV reported. 

Joint actions have led to the dismantling of more than 2,000 overseas fraud dens and the arrest of over 80,000 criminal suspects. These efforts have significantly deterred transnational criminal fraud networks and effectively curbed the high incidence of cross-border telecom and cyber fraud crimes.

According to data released by China's Ministry of Public Security, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chinese police smashed over 590 organized crime groups and more than 8,900 violent criminal organizations, and solved around 105,000 related criminal cases, Xinhua reported.

China appreciates South African moves to relocate, rename Taiwan 'offices': FM

The South African government has issued a Government Gazette officially withdrawing its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan's representative office in Pretoria. It has also called on the Taiwan authorities to relocate the institution to Johannesburg and rename the "Taipei Liaison Office" in Cape Town as the "Taipei Commercial Office." 

When asked to comment on the issue, the spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that the one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with countries around the world. It is also a fundamental norm in international relations and a widely held consensus within the international community.

The measures taken by the South African government are positive steps in upholding the one-China principle. They align with the spirit of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and form an integral part of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. China appreciates these actions and is willing to continue providing firm mutual support to South Africa on issues involving each other's core interests, Guo said. 

Testimony of history: Descendants of Nanyang transport volunteers keep wartime spirit alive through family stories

When Bong Boon Min, nephew of a Nanyang transport volunteer, left Sarawak, Malaysia in the 1970s to do contracting work, he had no idea of his family’s link to the Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics. It wasn’t until years later, through a chance conversation with his uncle, that he discovered the untold story of his relative’s involvement in this wartime effort.
Since then, Bong has dedicated himself to uncovering and preserving this forgotten chapter. Although 73 years old now, he remains committed to the task.

The “Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics” refers to over 3,200 overseas Chinese drivers and technicians who returned from Southeast Asia to support Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), according to the Xinhua News Agency.

After the war broke out, the Burma Road, completed in 1938, became China’s pivotal international supply route in the southwest. However, China lacked experienced drivers and mechanics for heavy-duty transport vehicles. Upon learning this, Tan Kah Kee, chairman of the Southeast China Relief Fund Union, called for volunteers to return and serve.

Between 1939 and 1942, they transported over 500,000 tons of military supplies and more than 15,000 vehicles into China, along with countless civilian goods. Over 1,000 volunteers sacrificed their lives in the process, Xinhua said. Although none of the volunteers remain alive today, their heroic stories continue to resonate across China and Southeast Asia.

On the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Global Times interviewed descendants of the volunteers in Malaysia and Singapore. They shared memories of their elders and described efforts to preserve and pass on this history.

Patriotism unspoken

Bong’s voice trembled with emotion as he recalled the past. “Every time I think about it, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed,” he told the Global Times.

Bong’s uncle, Kho Hai Seng, never spoke of his wartime experience – even to his family. This silence is common among many descendants of the mechanics, whose elders never spoke of their sacrifices.

“In the 1970s, I came across a book about the Nanyang volunteers and was shocked to learn how closely my hometown was tied to this nearly forgotten chapter of history,” Bong said. During a trip back in the 1990s, a conversation with Kho finally awakened this long-buried memory. That marked the beginning of Bong’s journey to gather records and track down other descendants.

Bong carefully documented his uncle’s story: Kho was born into a wealthy Chinese merchant family in Sarawak. He was well-educated, could drive, and had worked in a machine shop – living a life of comfort. Yet in August 1939, he gave it all up to join the volunteer corps and return to war-torn China.

Kho’s unit transported supplies from northern Burma into China. Just six months into 1939, 10 drivers perished in crashes. Their bodies were often buried in situ, facing south toward their homeland. Malaria and Japanese air raids posed constant threats. When a vehicle broke down and the driver failed to escape, the volunteers became sitting targets. After the road was bombed in 1942, Kho’s unit disbanded. He later lost his right arm in combat and left to the battlefield.

In another case, 77-year-old Singaporean Thong Kwee Chin, daughter of a volunteer, told the Global Times that her father never spoke of the past.

After years of searching, Thong’s older sister, Tang Yebi, gradually pieced together a clearer picture of her father, Tang Renwen: his own father had run a tailor shop in Malaya. When the War of Resistance broke out, he willingly gave up his comfortable life to join the fight. He stood out among more than 3,200 volunteer mechanics, delivering wartime supplies along the treacherous Burma Road.

Many other descendants have followed in their elders’ footsteps – resurrecting stories of courage and sacrifice long buried in history.

“The Nanyang volunteers were a symbol of the overseas Chinese community’s collective support for the motherland. These were some of the best and brightest youths of their time, whose return showed deep emotional ties and strong identification with China. They were defenders of peace and remain a vital part of our shared history,” said Xia Yuqing, professor and deputy director of the overseas Chinese research institute at the Yunnan Chinese Language and Culture College, Yunnan Normal University.

Keeping the flame alive

“I’ve been tirelessly trying to find descendants and promote this history – publishing articles and notices in newspapers to get the word out,” Bong said.

In 2010, Bong managed to contact a historical research institute in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. They were surprised to learn that three volunteers from Sarawak were still alive. With support from local Chinese institutions, Bong’s efforts to raise awareness gained momentum.

Surviving volunteers were often moved to tears that someone still cared enough to record their stories. Yet Bong’s journey wasn’t always smooth – some descendants, unaware of their parents’ past, mistook him for a scammer or treated him with suspicion.

Fortunately, his persistence paid off. More people began to trust him. “There’s no payment for this work,” Bong said, “but helping preserve this history is reward enough.”

Bong proudly displayed the commemorative medal granted to his uncle Kho by the Chinese government at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held on September 3, 2015. The medal was conferred to veterans, military commanders and representatives of international friends or their surviving family members who supported China’s resistance efforts, said Xinhua. This medal embodies a deep reverence for the heroes in the war, the aspiration to carry forward the great spirit of the war, as well as the Chinese people's firm resolve to cherish peace and forge ahead into the future, per Xinhua.

In 2016, Bong organized a campaign to retrace the Burma Road. Many descendants from Southeast Asia joined the journey. “It was a long, hard road, but we all finished it.”

“Afterward, I told the surviving volunteers, ‘I went there. I saw it, I walked it,’” Bong said.

Meanwhile, efforts to commemorate this history have led to the construction of memorials. For example, on May 14, 2025, a pavilion was completed in Malaysia-China Friendship Park, Sarawak, to permanently honor the Nanyang volunteers, according to Yunnan Daily.

“Learning and preserving the memory of the Nanyang volunteers helps overseas Chinese understand the past, reflect on the present and look to the future,” Thong said. “Places like the National Museum of Singapore and the War Memorial Park still bear traces of their history.”

“China’s current prosperity came through unimaginable hardship. Our generation knows this deeply, and we tell the younger generation. They come to understand it too,” Bong said.

“I have five children. Every one of them knows the story of the Nanyang volunteers,” he added.

As Xia emphasized, the volunteers’ legacy is a shared memory of Chinese people everywhere – and a powerful educational resource. “Their patriotic spirit still resonates, helping unite overseas Chinese and fostering deeper cultural identity. We must honor this history, especially among the youth.”

“This spirit is a lasting source of strength. These ordinary, kind-hearted people helped change the course of history. Their collective force made a real contribution to the global fight against fascism,” Xia said.

Recall vote shows DPP's manipulation runs against Taiwan people's will: mainland spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Sunday said that the failure of a recall vote targeting opposition lawmakers in Taiwan's local legislature shows that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s political manipulation runs against the will of the people.

During the vote on Saturday, the Kuomintang party scored a sweeping victory, retaining all 24 seats.

Responding to the outcome, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the DPP, driven by its pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and avarice for one-party monopoly, repeatedly stirred up political strife at the expense of Taiwan people's well-being.

The DPP has resorted to every means to suppress political dissent, create "green terror" and deepen social division, fully revealing its hypocritical nature of "fake democracy, real authoritarianism," Chen said.

Chinese FM urges US to immediately lift blockade, sanctions against Cuba

When asked to comment on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement on sanction imposition on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Armed Forces Minister General Alvaro Lopez Miera and Interior Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas, citing human rights violations as the reason, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China firmly opposes the US using the so-called human rights pretext to impose unilateral sanctions and interfere in Cuba's internal affairs. 

The US announced its first sanctions on Friday against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel for his role "in the Cuban regime's brutality toward the Cuban people," AFP reported.

The US has maintained a comprehensive blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba for over 60 years, causing severe suffering to the Cuban people. Sanctions should be lifted immediately, rather than intensified, Lin said.

Lin said that China firmly supports Cuba in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity. 

Lin urged the US to immediately lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba and to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. "I would like to emphasize that if the US truly cares about human rights, it should reflect on its own human rights violations in Guantanamo and around the world over the years," Lin said.

Mainland spokesperson opposes Lai’s planned US transit, urges the US side to strictly adhere to one-China principle

In response to media inquiries regarding Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's reported "visit" to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize, with planned "transit" stops in New York and Dallas, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated on Wednesday, "We firmly oppose any form of official interaction between the US and China's Taiwan region, and resolutely oppose Lai's 'transit' stops in the US under any pretext or in any form."

Chen urged the US side to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, and to handle Taiwan-related issues with prudence so as to avoid sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. "We sternly warn the Lai authorities: seeking 'independence' by relying on the US is futile and doomed to fail," Chen said.

The one-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations, upheld by the vast majority of countries around the world. It is where justice lies, reflects the people's aspiration, and aligns with the trend of the times, Chen added. He expressed hope that the relevant Latin American and Caribbean countries will recognize the overarching trend, handle Taiwan-related matters with caution, and join the big family of China-Latin America friendship and cooperation.

Australian PM calls for more collaboration in Australia-China medical research in Chengdu: media

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for more joint endeavors between Chinese and Australian medical technology researchers during his third stop in his China visit.

He has attended a Medical Technology lunch in Chengdu on Thursday promoting bilateral business deals in the space, including the manufacture of Australian-owned Cochlear hearing devices in western China, Australian media outlet SBS news reported.

"Australia is a world leader in medical research. And Australian and Chinese scientists are working together towards new breakthroughs. Today in Chengdu, we brought together leaders in the medical technology industry from Australia and China. Together, our two countries can bring new hope and better health to people right across the world," Albanese posted on X.

Albanese is paying an official visit to China from July 12 to 18, traveling to Shanghai and Beijing, with Chengdu marking the final leg of his trip. 

On Thursday, the Australian Prime Minister visited giant panda Fu Ni in Chengdu, who returned to China from Australia last year. Albanese wrote on social media that the "cute" panda is part of a "long-standing friendship between Australia and China."

Questions mount within Taiwan island over Lai's ‘transit fee’ in US

As Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te is reportedly preparing to visit Central and South America next month, meaning Lai will likely to make a "transit" stop in the US, there has been mounting speculation within the island about how much "transit fee" Lai will have to pay.

The spokesperson for the US State Department claimed that "transits of the US by high-level Taiwan officials are in line with past practice, and fully consistent with its policy,"Straits Times reported on Friday, although the spokesperson didn't confirm Lai would transit.

Spokespersons of Chinese Foreign Ministry and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office had voiced firm opposition separately on Tuesday and Wednesday to any form of official interaction between the US and China's Taiwan region, and denounced Lai's attempt to "transit" through the US under any pretext or in any form.

Both urged the US to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, to handle Taiwan questions with utmost prudence, and to refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

In recent days, there has been much discussion within the island regarding the amount of the "transit fee" that Lai will have to pay. 

With the current US government reshaping US relations with the world, Lai's "transit" through the country will inevitably come with a hefty "toll" or "transit fee," Taiwan's United Daily News said. 

Some opinions also hold that Lai's trip may not be able to proceed. Analysts say one factor that could derail the stopover would be relatively better US-China ties, which could prompt the US president to cancel Lai's visit, according to South China Morning Post. 

Given various subjective and objective factors, Lai may find it hard to get what he wants, Macao-based Jornal San Wa Ou reported. Even if he can land in New York, his activities may be strictly restricted. "If that's the case, it will be self - humiliation, and it would be better not to go," the report said.

The primary purpose of Lai's visit is not about his upcoming August trip to Paraguay, but rather to use "transit" through the US as a way to showcase the latter's support for the island, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Friday. 

The expert also characterized the remarks by the US as part of Washington's habitual use of the "Taiwan card." In exchange for a "transit" opportunity, Lai may offer concessions in trade or security, such as increasing arms purchases from the US or aligning more closely with US strategies to contain China, Zheng noted.

Lai's visit reflects the mindset of sacrificing Taiwan's long-term interests for partisan gains — a move that, experts said, typifies the approach of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the island.

Chief designer of China’s J-15 carrier-borne fighter jet envisions to produce aircraft like mobile phones in future

A top Chinese warplane designer said that future fighter jets will incorporate unmanned systems, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as other advanced technologies, moreover, they should be produced like mobile phones. A Chinese expert said that this vision is highly forward-looking, signifying a substantial enhancement in the nation's all-encompassing capabilities across domains.

During the recent visit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Shandong to Hong Kong, the newly developed carrier-based fighter jet J-15T made its public debut on the carrier's deck, attracting widespread attention.

Sun Cong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also the chief designer of China's J-15 carrier-borne fighter jet, stated in an exclusive interview that unmanned system operations and AI will certainly be applied to fighter jets, the CCTV News military channel reported on Tuesday. 

He explained that the J-15 focuses on energy maneuverability and weapon use, while the J-35 will emphasize informationization and speed — prioritizing rapid response throughout the entire process from detection and engagement to withdrawal.

"With advances in technology, China's carrier-based aircraft will become more intelligent in the future," Sun noted.

Sun also said that the production speed of aircraft will accelerate in the future, noting, "We need to produce aircraft the way we produce mobile phones."

He added that the analogy of producing aircraft like mobile phones means all functions will be software-based, with the platform and functions designed independently. When the platform is modified, integrating the functions will result in something new, Sun said.

Highlighting the need to accelerate aircraft development, the chief designer noted that the research and development cycle for an aircraft typically spans roughly 15 to 20 years. "But if other countries start introducing new innovations every five years, we'll quickly fall behind at our current pace," he warned.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times that Sun's remarks are highly forward-looking, as they offer a phased target for development.

This means future aircraft would need highly standardized interfaces to allow for plug-and-play upgrades, as well as open architectures with both forward and backward compatibility, according to Wang.

Enabling aircraft to upgrade like mobile phones implies a major leap in capabilities across all aspects of the aircraft's complex systems, enabling rapid and flexible system-wide iteration, the expert noted.

GT investigates: Unveiling 8 Taiwan military-industrial enterprises in mainland’s export control list

The Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it has added 8 entities from China's Taiwan region to the export control list. These companies have deliberately cooperated with the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.

The decision was made to maintain national sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, according to the statement. The export of dual-use items to these 8 companies will be prohibited, the spokesperson said, stressing that no exporter will be allowed to violate these control measures.

The Global Times noted that the listed enterprises are key military-industrial research and manufacturing institutions in the island of Taiwan, covering various fields such as aviation, missiles, ships, and submarines.

Experts reached by the Global Times on Wednesday said that this move sends a strong political signal that the Chinese mainland will take firm countermeasures against the Lai Ching-te administration's actions aimed at attempting to "seek independence through military buildup," and will also take actions against entities that assist or serve as accomplices in those efforts.

'Military projects involved'

According to the announcement, the eight listed enterprises include Aerospace Industrial Development Corp., GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc., National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology, JC Technology Inc., CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, Lungteh Shipbuilding Co., Ltd and Gong Wei Co., Ltd. The Global Times found that all these entities are involved in military-industrial projects in the island and are considered "accomplices" in the Lai administration's efforts to "seek foreign support" and "seek independence through military buildup."

Among these, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. is responsible for developing military aircraft models such as the island of Taiwan's Air Force Ching-Kuo Fighter jets and the Yung-ying (Brave Edge) advanced trainer aircraft. It also participates in the maintenance and upgrade of F-16 fighter jets purchased by the Taiwan military from the US.

With the increasing importance of drones in modern military conflicts, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. also undertakes the development of the island of Taiwan's military drone projects. It is a key member of the so-called "Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance," which aims to promote the integration and upgrading of Taiwan's drone industry through resource integration, technological cooperation, and industry alliances, thereby enhancing Taiwan's strategic position in the global supply chain for drones.

GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc. primarily focuses on the development of drones. The company's leader, Luo Zhengfang, publicly stated that its goal is to "cut off" the dependency of Taiwan's drone manufacturers on Chinese mainland components and develop 100 percent Taiwan-made military drones to strengthen the island's "asymmetric warfare" capabilities. The company has already delivered naval reconnaissance drones and army micro-drones to the so-called "defense authority" on the island.

National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology is the main force behind Taiwan's military equipment development. The island of Taiwan's currently deployed Tien Kung air defense missile series, the Tien Chien missile series, Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile series, and Thunderbolt 2000 multiple rocket launcher system were all developed by the institute. The institute is also engaged in the development of Taiwan's anti-tank weapon systems and unmanned equipment.

JC Technology Inc. is another Taiwan company focused on the development of drones. The company has participated in a program by the so-called "defense authority" on the island, which aims to produce commercial-grade drones with defense applications, and has developed the Flyingfish suicide drone, which is touted as Taiwan's version of the Switchblade, which is a miniature loitering munition designed by US manufacturer AeroVironment.

CSBC Corporation, Taiwan is a major contractor for the Taiwan navy, involved in the development of Taiwan's amphibious transport dock Yu Shan and the Panshih-class fast combat support ship, as well as the Ching Chiang-class patrol corvette and Cheng Kung-class frigates. Currently, the company is also responsible for the development of Taiwan's self-made submarine, the Hai Kun.

Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co., Ltd is mainly responsible for the development of Taiwan's coast guard patrol vessels. The largest patrol ships in Taiwan's coast guard, Yilan and Kaohsiung, were developed by this company. It also develops light air defense and anti-submarine escort ships for Taiwan's so-called "defense authority."

Lungteh Shipbuilding Co., Ltd manufactures various types of missile vessels, including Taiwan's Tuo Chiang-class guided-missile corvettes. The company is also involved in the development of unmanned ships for Taiwan's military.

Gong Wei Co., Ltd focuses on the development of specialized military and police equipment, including bulletproof vests, shields, explosion-proof coatings, anti-slash clothing, anti-cutting pants, and tactical gloves. The company was previously exposed for importing bulletproof fiber fabric from East China's Jiangsu Province, printing its logo on it, and then passing it off as "Taiwan-made" to sell to the so-called "defense authority" on the island of Taiwan, making a profit of 67 million New Taiwan dollars ($2.298 million).

Chen Guiqing, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this countermeasure sends a strong political signal: The Chinese mainland will conduct strong countermeasures against the Lai administration's efforts to "seek independence through military buildup" and will take action against entities involved in supporting those efforts. For the specific companies involved, these measures are designed to "strike" those entities within the island of Taiwan that support "seeking independence through military buildup."
'Mainland elements embedded'

The countermeasures are highly targeted, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday, adding that Chinese mainland elements are deeply embedded throughout the industrial chains of Taiwan's military manufacturers that have been exposed in recent years.

Zheng noted that the Taiwan regional authorities' claims of "defense self-sufficiency" are largely hollow, as there is hardly any fully self-produced military equipment. Even the companies in the list rely heavily on the Chinese mainland for components, raw materials, and key hardware and software.

The move will undoubtedly disrupt production at these firms, and could deliver a "crippling blow" to areas where the Chinese mainland controls critical materials, Zheng said.

Chen told the Global Times that companies like Gong Wei Co Ltd have long sourced large quantities of bulletproof fibers and related materials from the Chinese mainland, which holds a dominant position in the global bulletproof fiber market with an over 70 percent share.

Given this scale, the decision to place eight Taiwan-based entities on an export control list - banning the export of dual-use items and requiring an immediate halt to related trade - will inevitably have a significant impact on the island's production of bulletproof vests and other protective gear, Chen said.

The expert also noted that in the drone industry, the Chinese mainland has a well-developed and complete supply chain, and the island of Taiwan has long relied heavily on it for components and assembly.

Although Taiwan regional authorities have promoted a so-called "non-mainland supply chain" to reduce reliance on the Chinese mainland, replacing Chinese suppliers with foreign alternatives comes at a steep cost.

For example, if firms in Taiwan island switch to Australian gimbal systems for drones, the price would be significantly higher than those made in the Chinese mainland, Chen said.

The move will directly impact key technologies used in Taiwan island's domestically developed warships and other defense projects, Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean and professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Funding and supplies for military production will also be affected to some extent, as many of these systems rely on mainland-sourced components.

The move will also serve as a deterrent to Taiwan's ambitions to develop indigenous weapons, Zhang added.

'A ridiculous thing'

The Global Times has learned that the listed companies, while undertaking contracts from Taiwan's defense authorities, are also deeply involved in civilian sectors such as commercial aircraft, ships, public service vessels, and consumer-grade drones - highlighting their dual-use nature.

The Ministry of Commerce specifically stressed in its announcement that the export of dual-use items to these entities is now prohibited.

Zheng noted that as Taiwan regional authorities push for "defense self-sufficiency," more defense contracts are being extended to private firms.

"However, these companies are driven by profit and naturally turn to cost-effective suppliers - many of which are in the Chinese mainland," Zheng said, noting that this has led to deeply intertwined supply chains between Taiwan's defense industry and the Chinese mainland, making separation increasingly difficult.

Zheng also said that some Taiwan regional companies engage with the military under the guise of civilian operations, contributing to the Lai administration's push for "seeking independence through military buildup." These companies, he said, may face even harsher penalties in the future.

It is unacceptable for institutions to rely on mainland-made components to develop military systems while at the same time supporting Lai's provocations and separatist agenda, Zheng said, calling it fundamentally absurd.

Chen echoed that the recent moves by Taiwan regional authorities have severely strained cross-Straits relations, and the control list delivers a clear warning - if Taiwan authorities continue down the path of "seeking independence through military buildup," they will face even more serious consequences.

On one hand, Taiwan island will be completely cut off from access to key components from the Chinese mainland. On the other, should it escalate its provocations, further countermeasures from Beijing are likely to follow, Chen said.