(Xinhua) 08:13, December 20, 2017

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday strongly condemned Taiwan authorities' suppression and persecution of pro-reunification entities and individuals.

An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comment in response to questions about the detention of four officials from the pro-reunification New Party.

Prosecutors in Taiwan took them away and searched their homes Tuesday morning for alleged violations of the island's security regulations.

An hailed the New Party's stance of upholding the one-China principle and opposing "Taiwan independence," and condemned Taiwan authorities for indulging the separatists while suppressing and persecuting those who support peaceful reunification.

The mainland will closely follow the matter, said An.