BEIJING,???? ?????? ?????? May 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday slammed the recent move of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to target certain performing artists from Taiwan who support closer cross-Strait relations.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press briefing that the mainland will continue to support and encourage cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.

The mainland welcomes Taiwan's performing artists to pursue careers on the mainland, and will take necessary measures to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, Chen said.

In recent years, more and more people from the entertainment sector of Taiwan have come to the mainland to share the development opportunities and chase their dreams. Based on their personal experiences, they have voiced their support for exchanges and the peaceful development of relations between both sides of the strait, Chen added.

The spokesperson said the DPP's targeting of these performing artists constitutes a serious violation of the basic rights and freedom of speech enjoyed by Taiwan compatriots, which again exposes its hypocritical and despicable nature.