The Chinese mainland will continue supporting and promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, which will benefit compatriots of both sides, an official of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said in Beijing Wednesday.

The official made this comment on the report that Taiwan pop singer Zhang Huimei could not attend the concert held in Hangzhou because of criticism and protests by netizens.

He said that his office has noticed the report and was trying to know more details on the issue.

The Chinese culture association also expressed its support for the ongoing exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan pop singers' holding and attending concerts on the Chinese mainland is an important content of the cultural exchanges and cooperation, which has played an important role in eliminating the misunderstanding between the compatriots of both sides and improving the relations across the Straits, said the director of the association.

"We fully understood the patriotism of the netizens who expressed their anger and protests to the 'Taiwan independence' activities by the Taiwan authority," said the director.

"Many Taiwan pop stars have contributed a lot to the improvement of the relations across the Straits, and we will continue opening the market for them and protect their legitimate rights and interests according to law," the director said.

Source: Xinhua