Outcry after Taiwan asks mainland Chinese tourist to sign independence statement

A mainland Chinese tourist was asked to sign a declaration recognising Taiwan as an independent state to obtain an entry permit for the island, sparking controversy over Taipei’s entry requirements.Beijing condemned the demand on Wednesday, accusing Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of imposing politically motivated restrictions to obstruct cross-strait tourism and exchanges.“The DPP authorities stubbornly cling to their separatist stance on Taiwan independence and have repeatedly erected barriers to cross-strait tourism and exchanges in various fields,” said Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office.